The Scent of something good.
2 Corinthians chapter 2 verse 15.
As far as God is concerned there is a sweet, wholesome fragrance in our lives. It is the fragrance of Christ within us, an aroma to both the the saved and unsaved all around us.
There is nothing like catching the the smell of something you like. It brings a smile to your face, it could bring back a lost memory or it could make your mouth water. One thing is for sure it will make you stop and look. You will wonder where it could be coming from, and maybe you will take the time to go and enjoy what has captured your thoughts.
Everyone's sense of what they like can be different than someone else. For example; the smell of a farm or the smell of popcorn. Totally opposite yet the are appealing to one person and not another. It is hard to find someone who does not like the smell of fresh baking. Yet there are people who like the smell a Zippo gives off as it lights a cigarette. We could go on and on.... Cooking, fresh cut lawn, the lakes or ocean, the woods and trees, the garden or fresh cut flowers in a kitchen, the smell of potpourri or nice cologne.
The list can be never ending and just as there are a lot of good smells there are also bad smells. The smells that make people feel awful. The smells that make them turn and run. The smells that turn them off. Everyone's choice of what they like can be different and that can spark conversation.
Comments like; "Wasn't that amazing?" or "Argh, that's horrible." Both sayings come from an experience that has caused us to look and comment on. It is mainly the scent of something good that sticks in our memories, because we have enjoyed it. They have brought us happiness and a peaceful time. In one quick moment they have taken away the troubles of life and replaced them with "Awe that is just what I need."
It is also nice when our experience is shared with others. It is also nice when we reencounter the experience in a later conversation. Even years later there may be a conversation that reminds you of that experience and you get to share it as if it just happened. And those listening are gripped by what you are saying remembering their own experience.
In the verse above, those who walk with Christ are compared with a nice smelling fragrance. Jesus had compassion and love for all people and God used Him to reach those who did not know Him. The thing about God is that, He is the focus of our life because He has made a significant impact on us. Just like a smell that catches our attention and can change our focus, Jesus has shown us God's love and that has caught our never ending attention.
A softening of the heart, that has changed the way we look at life forever. You never would have paid so much attention to something before unless it was something that you believed so strongly in. And you have found that you have never put so much effort into something before as you have with wanting to know Jesus. God has taken what was missing and brought you to a place that you forever want to stay in.
Now your life is not about complaining and heartache but about the joy of knowing that God has given you a new life with Christ. You want to be guided by God and you have found that He is there with you in your temptations and desires. You have even found that He has a purpose for you. And that is to share your experience with others when the opportunity arises.
It is in the way you stand out in your joy and happiness, in the success of your challenges and the way you want to listen to others, it is the way you love the life you now have. You have had a lot of experiences in your life and you like to talk about them. You like to share what has gone on in your life as others open up about their lives.
The things is you have found common ground with whoever it is you are interacting with and God has given you a way, through Christ, to have fun and get along. You will know whether the conversation is in need of prayer or not. The common ground will lead you to talk about the change that has happened in your life and maybe to them wanting to know more.
Whatever way the experience goes, you will be known as a good person, who has a good heart and someone they can say hello again to and remember the conversation they had with you. God works through us in ways that we do not even see happening. Maybe it is through wisdom, knowledge and understanding, maybe it was through common sense and laughter, maybe it was through love. The listening ear that someone needed.
Just like a sweet smell, God has given us, Christ, the life giving perfume.
Thank You Father for Jesus. Thank You for life with You and the joy that is seen in our lives. 😊
2 Corinthians chapter 2 verse 16.
To those who are not being saved, we seem a fearful smell of death and doom, while to those who know Christ we are a life giving perfume.
Luke chapter 19 verse 6.
Zacchaeus hurriedly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.
Luke chapter 23 verse 34.
"Father, forgive these people," Jesus said, "for the do not know what they are doing."
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