The Fragrance of Christ

Recently I read a book that we are now just beginning in our ladies Bible study called "What's Your God Language?" It discusses 9 different spiritual temperaments, one of which is the Sensate, or someone who connects with God best through their senses. Before reading this book, I had never put much thought into how our senses are used for anything other than daily functioning.

As I have pondered this over the past few weeks, I have noticed afresh how many times things I see, hear, smell, touch & taste remind me of Albania. A building with an old door, a funny traffic moment, the scent of the fruit at the entrance of a store, the fabric of a pillow that feels like the couch where I sat to do my quiet time in "our" apartment, a small piece of grilled steak with a certain seasoning...and I could go on. There are so many times during a day that something grabs my attention and brings me back there again.

This morning as I drove to the church office, the exhaust of the truck in front of me transported me to a Tirana street, and also caused me to start thinking about how powerful our sense of smell can be.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 says, "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?"

If the smells around us can so powerfully affect our senses, than the comparison of us to the fragrance of Christ is infinitely full of meaning. I want to live my life in such a way that those around me, whether briefly or in a close relationship, can smell Christ in me. If it is the fragrance of life to them, we can be an encouragement to each other. If it is the smell of death, may I be sensitive to their feelings and needs while standing strong on the truth of His character and purpose. I have no control over the response of others to Christ, but I do pray that whenever they respond to me, it is actually Christ in me that they are responding to. And I pray that my words and actions will be a fragrance and not a stench to my Lord or anyone else.