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What’s That Smell?
There are certain scents that bring specific feelings or memories to my mind. Do you know what I mean?
Some aromas bring good feelings and memories. The smell of athletic rub reminds me of lying in my grandmother’s arms. She had arthritis in her hands and used Tiger Balm everyday so she always smelled like athletic rub. The smell of chai tea, one of my favorite teas, relaxes me and soothes me. The smell of sorrel, a Jamaican drink, takes me back to my childhood days, when a cup of sorrel was a very pleasant surprise.
Some aromas bring bad feelings and memories. The smell of bleach reminds me of cleaning, washing and scrubbing---ugh! And the smell of thyme reminds me of my aunt’s fish soup. That soup had so much thyme, it tasted like cooked twigs.
The apostle Paul wrote,
For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15)
Paul says that Christians are the aroma of Christ. What does the aroma of Christ smell like? What feelings or memories does it stimulate? It is an aroma that brings Christ and his teaching to mind. The life of a Christian should smell like love as Jesus taught:
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? (Matthew 5:44-45)
It should smell like obedience to God as Jesus obeyed:
That the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do.” (John 14:31)
And it should smell like devotion to prayer as Jesus demonstrated:
But He would withdraw to desolate places and pray. (Luke 5:16)
The life of a Christian should reflect the things Jesus did and taught. These things are pleasing to God.
What other things should a Christian life smell like? I encourage you to share your thoughts by commenting on this post.
