I have a thing about smells. As a girl, I don’t think we should sweat. Or…if we have to…then why couldn’t God make it smell like flowers? Lilacs, lavender, roses. Women just should not get stinky. When we work-out, the fragrance coming off of us should not make people step ten feet away. We should be able to lift our arms with confidence. I’m definitely asking God about this one when I get to heaven.
The thing is, as a Christian, I expect the same. We give off an aroma in this world—and it needs to draw people to us, not send them running. You know what I mean. There are people you turn around and follow to see where they got their scent from. You want it ~ or you want to buy it for your significant other. Then there are people you need a clothes pin to be in the same room with. Which do you think we should be?
Well the Bible is pretty clear on this one. Our fragrance needs to be sweet with the Holy Spirit. Just listen to 2 Corinthians 2:14&15: “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”
See, we are a fragrance to those around us, and we’re supposed to be the fragrance of Christ. But when we spend too much time rolling around with the things of the world, it rubs off on us and we take on its smell. Kind of like cooking with garlic. My hands stink to high heaven when I get done peeling and chopping a clove, or two, or three…:) So I learned a trick a few years back ~ rubbing my skin against stainless steel when I’m done will remove the smell. The metal in stainless steel binds with the sulfur (aka the stinky part) of the garlic and removes the smell from my hands. That’s exactly what God does for us. When we start to smell too much like the world, if we draw near to Him, He’ll pull all those bad smells from us and replace them with His sweet aroma.
So how do you smell right now? Is your scent drawing people towards Christ or is it time to rub yourself in His presence? Let Him absorb some of the stink and wash you clean, leaving you with His sweet fragrance. I can guarantee you, nothing smells better.
See, we are a fragrance to those around us, and we’re supposed to be the fragrance of Christ. But when we spend too much time rolling around with the things of the world, it rubs off on us and we take on its smell. Kind of like cooking with garlic. My hands stink to high heaven when I get done peeling and chopping a clove, or two, or three…:) So I learned a trick a few years back ~ rubbing my skin against stainless steel when I’m done will remove the smell. The metal in stainless steel binds with the sulfur (aka the stinky part) of the garlic and removes the smell from my hands. That’s exactly what God does for us. When we start to smell too much like the world, if we draw near to Him, He’ll pull all those bad smells from us and replace them with His sweet aroma.
So how do you smell right now? Is your scent drawing people towards Christ or is it time to rub yourself in His presence? Let Him absorb some of the stink and wash you clean, leaving you with His sweet fragrance. I can guarantee you, nothing smells better.
Love your fives senses posts. :) Very interesting take on the smell. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I awarded you the Leibster Award on my blog today. Check it out when you get a chance! :)