Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC

2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (NLT)
“But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now He uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.”

Spring is one of the most colorful and fragrant times of the year, and cutting flowers from my yard is one of my favorite ways to savor the season.  Recently, after filling a vase with various blooms, I went about my day.  While carrying endless loads of laundry to different rooms of the house, I kept noticing an enticing smell coming from the vase.  The sweet scent would stop me mid-step, and I would try to identify its source as I passed. Finally, by the third or fourth time, I emptied my arms, bent down, and cupped my hands around each bloom, trying to discern the smell.  I wanted to know the source of the wonderful aroma. To my surprise, the sweet fragrance was coming from a small cluster of pink flowers cut from a bush in my yard, rather than the showy tulips and daffodils beside it. The small cluster was enticing, and I wanted to learn more about its source.  I wanted to learn not only the name of this bush, but its proper care to ensure these blooms will return next spring. I wanted more of this wonderful smell.

Did you know that our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God? The sweet aroma rises like an offering of incense.  Long ago, the Romans burned incense during their victory processions as an offering to their gods. As we live out life in Christ’s triumphal procession, we spread the sweet incense of Jesus everywhere we go; the fragrant aroma of this incense rises to the One True God.  Verse 14 says that God uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere like a sweet perfume.  What an honor, but also a great responsibility. Is our aroma Christ-like?  Would our smell of Christianity attract non-believers?

The world is full of people who are empty and searching, and the hope we have is a life-giving perfume to the lost.  Never underestimate the power of your fragrant kindness, joy, and peace. You may just entice someone to search for the source.  Even if they can’t quite put their finger on it, they often notice an enticing aroma that makes you different. It is God’s love they are attracted to, which could be the beginning step to opening their heart to Jesus. Who in your daily interaction needs to smell the aroma of Christ today?

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, may my life be a fragrant offering to you today that gives off the sweet aroma of Jesus to others around me.  Teach me how to make the most of every opportunity to show Your love and to tell of the hope I have in You today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.  

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
1 Samuel 16:7
For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.