Smell of the worlds
I woke up this August morning to an already hot day. When I wandered out onto the balcony wearing my Possum Kingdom, Texas T-shirt, I was transported back in time --- and smelled my childhood Texas home in the 7 am air of a post-industrial town in Poland!
Curious as I am, I just had to ask ChatGPT if that was even possible. I am on the other side of the world, after all, in Poland. And I've been here for 40-plus years... So why do I smell Ft. Worth, Texas of ages past?
Come to find out, yes! Both urban concrete and natural tree-and-soil smells are remarkably similar at such temperatures. And naturally, our even more remarkably sentimental brains pick up on such things!
And that got me to thinking...
What 'smell' does the Lord desire from us? I know it is a strange jump, but bear with me!😏
What does my life smell like to Him? He has been clear in the Bible accounts about this. Just go to any concordance or ask ChatGPT AI and see for yourself.
Does the Lord of my life smell the pleasing aroma of Christ in me?
Is that odor one that pleases Him, or is it a burnt stench like those beleaguered people in burnt-out areas of southern Europe are experiencing after the wildfires? We, in our part of Poland, had such a wildfire years back; it permeates everything, and the stench makes it hard to even breathe...
One description of our smell, as believers walking before God, and others who reject Him, in this world is stark:
For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?
2 Corinthians 2:15,16Death. Like that burnt smell of destruction is the way some people 'smell' our message of Christ's love.
And that sweet-smelling aroma to God is Christ? What creates that scent that we know of?
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Ephesians 5:1,2Now THAT is the goal we are after! Love has a scent, and this one puts Chanel #5 to shame! The sweet-smelling aroma of Christ's love and sacrifice! His aroma... That is the one we do not give off ourselves, but carry and apply daily as we walk as HIS children. That is the aroma of life, the one bringing joy to God! And a scent in the air of life to those seeking Him!
To others around, my husband particularly exudes that aroma. Just today, he was asked to help an older couple from our church with his time and care, not to mention dropping our daughter off at the station on the way there. A life of loving service comes naturally to him...(proud wife speaking here!)
So we get to wear this aroma ourselves as opportunity knocks, not to mention sharing that sweet fragrance of Christ's love with others when we can.
But we have to receive that wondrous perfume of HIS love and sacrifice. It is WAY beyond us to deserve this priceless scent. Then, once given to us, we have to apply it to every part of our lives and look for it all around us in the lives of others.
Where do YOU smell that wondrous fragrance?
Like the children in this image, rejoice in that sweet savor when you can, and pass it on!
About author
A retired teacher of English as a foreign language, she loves classical music, hiking in nature, reading, and writing.
She is married to her marvelous husband, Adam, and loves their two children, with two rambunctious toddler grandchildren completing the joy of family.
God has given her countless opportunities to see His goodness through the years together with the challenges life has brought. Those lessons are the subject of her writing.Show less