Fragrances are powerful. As I’m sitting here in my living room I’m encountering a strong
fragrance. You see, the people who live directly below me are a lovely couple
that recently moved here from the Congo. I met Alin & Mani a few months ago when
they moved in. From time to time we
greet each other in Swahili – their native language and one I learned in Kenya. Another thing that I’ve noticed about Alin
& Mani is their interesting cooking traditions. They very often cook with a specific spice
that emits a potent aroma – yes, even through the floor into my apartment. I can’t figure out the spice, but I think
it’s related to curry. It’s not a
favorable fragrance to me – especially when it fills my apartment. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about culture – I
just haven’t acclimated to this aroma yet. 🙂
I just happen to be reading in 2 Corinthians this evening as
my environment is being invaded by this aroma from downstairs. It’s just like God to teach me something
through this experience. I read 2 Corinthians
2:14-17 where Paul is speaking to the Church in Corinth regarding fragrance and aroma, and I
think I have something to learn from this passage. Paul says that through us, “God spreads
everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.” He says we are to God the aroma of Christ among those we encounter – those who are
being saved & those who are perishing. He calls us the fragrance of life.
What in the world does all this talk about fragrance & aroma mean? I don’t claim to know, but I do believe that
we have the incredible opportunity to enter into situations and bring Christ into our world – into our daily lives. People notice the aroma when we walk in the
door. They know we have been with Jesus
because we smell like Jesus. Now this
sounds weird…after all, how in the world do we smell like Jesus?! What’s
that fragrance like?
We often enter into situations where people desperately
need the love of the Father – places of despair, places of brokenness
& hurting, where people are in bondage by addictions and depression, where people are crying out for hope. We can bring His hope. It’s Jesus in us. It’s the fragrance of His heart, and it oozes
out of our pores if you will, to touch those in need of Him.
My heart’s desire is to be the aroma of Christ
everywhere I go. That I will walk into a
room and the very environment of that place will change – His aroma will fill
the room – as Christ makes Himself
known. It’s nothing that I can do. It’s not about me. But when we spend time with the Jesus we begin
to smell like Him. Much like standing
next to a campfire…your clothes will smell of the fire for days. May I soak in His aroma and carry His love
& grace into every situation. May He
use me to spread everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. What an incredible opportunity – to be the
fragrance of life!
Hi Kayla,
I was reading the same passage a couple of days ago. You have a wonderful way with words. If we are walking close to Him I think the fragrance is one of death to self- perhaps myrrh- not literally though. Then we are ready to love others and point the way to His perfect love, to heal them.
I also want that, to be the fragrance of Christ.
I love you Kayla! You are an amazing woman of God.
You know… Jesus wouldn’t have bathed very often… and there was no deoderant… So maybe the more stinky I am the more I’m like Christ!!!
…or maybe my reasoning is off somewhere 🙂
So Laura… she’s pretty much a hippie. I love your blogs roomy. Keep the truth coming! Blessings as seek to be more like Him!
Hey Kayla,
I am also so encourage when I read your update! It is always so much fun seeing what all the Lord is doing in your life!! Keep living for Him! You have encouraged me in more ways then you will know with your updayes and the way that you love our Father! Thank you! Have a really nice day!
*Jayla Bacon