The Aroma
Scripture says to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one, we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
This past Sunday, this scripture was included in my daily devotional from the Bible App plan that I do with some other ladies. I am not sure exactly what the point of that devotional was that day, because when I read the verse, one word jumped off the screen for me. God had my attention. The word was Aroma.
See, I had just spent several hours that morning dealing with an Aroma. Not a good one. One of my two pups had gone outside at 5:30 that morning, and the 30 seconds she was out of my view, she decided to roll in the aftermath of some other animal’s unfortunate encounter with a skunk.
The wind was blowing just the right direction, so she actually made it in my back door and two steps inside, where she waited patiently for me to give her a potty treat. When I turned toward her to give her the treat, I smelled the telltale aroma of her misadventure. If you have never had the treat of having a skunk-scented animal walk into your home, I pray that you never have to.
At 5:30 am on a Sunday, I think, “What am I going to do about this?”. I immediately picked her up, not by choice but by necessity, so that she wouldn’t run and get on furniture or share her stink anywhere else. I grabbed my phone for instructions.
I had heard to bathe animals in tomato juice when they get skunked, but I didn’t have any. So now what? Google provided the answers. Don’t get them wet with water first; it makes it worse. Apply a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and Dawn. Check. OK, thank you, Jesus, I had all of those. So, me and stinky had to go through the house and get all those things. I am telling you, I don’t know how a SMELL, a vapor, can have consistency that coats the inside of your nose, but this is what happened. I smelled skunk for two days so strongly I could taste it. So, anyway, when I read the word Aroma in my bible study that morning, I added to my list of things I want to ask God about one day. Skunk vapor is now one of them. And also, Noah, did he really have two of those in the ark with him? NO THANK YOU!
Anyway, God had my attention about this aroma. This little fellow gave off an aroma I don’t want to encounter again. It was not a pleasant adventure, and one that would not draw me near one of these animals again anytime soon.
So, what about my Aroma? That morning, it wasn’t good for sure. But what about my life?
Scripture says to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
Does my life and my actions, my words, spread the Aroma of Him? Have I been the skunk, with the stink and death of my sins rubbing off on others? Or my anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, judgment, or negativity?
That skunk smell that had to have a special something to neutralize it, wash it away, is like our sins. Nothing takes care of those but the blood of Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross. He is our living sacrifice.
Once washed through the power of the blood, do our lives spread the Aroma of him?
Then I started to think about good aromas. Have you walked into a home where someone is baking chocolate chip cookies? I will follow that smell right to the source. Or woken up in the morning to the smell of someone making a delicious breakfast. That will lead me to the kitchen every time.
What are the smells, actions, that lead us to Christ? I can think of many I have encountered right here at Wesley Chapel that lead us closer to Christ. The smell of dinner available to anyone on Wesley Wednesdays, and the fellowship happening during that meal. The smell of fresh mowed grass after servants have volunteered to keep the grounds inviting. The smell of coffee and the hello, and the smile that the hospitality team greets each person with on Sunday mornings. The prayers offered over prayer blankets for our military, first responders, missionaries, Wesley Chapel, and individuals in need. Bible Studies and Sunday School classes where people study the word, and also fellowship and do life with one another. The joy and fun of the youth at the Easter Egg Hunt and Fall Fest, and the selfless servanthood by all those who help to make it happen. People who pray for you and with you and strive to be more like Jesus.
I want to “smell” more like that.
And Why? Verse 17 says, “We do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” And we are all sent from God.
Lord, may you use us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of you everywhere to draw people to you.
