Tuesday, July 8, 2008

What do you smell like?

While on our couple's retreat last month, my sister Jennifer let me use some of her new lotion. Oh golly goodness, it smelled so wonderful. It had a soft hint of citrus, but was so light I just knew I had to get me some of that. When I asked her where I could get some she told me that I would have to order it online. She had found it in Napa while there with her husband.

I was so disappointed. It smelled so good that I wanted to run out and get some right that very moment. I just couldn't wait to run to her room the next morning to ask her if I could put on some more.

It got me to thinking of the scripture,
"For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life." 2 Cor. 2:15-16

As Christians, we are going to be plain stinky to those that don't have Christ in their lives, no matter what. God's word says that we are the stench of death to these people. Not a very intoxicating scent. Not a smell that the world is drawn to, but rather repulsed by. I have seen it when I meet with people who are not saved and who know I am a Christian. They are so quick to move along to the next person. They can't seem to get away quickly enough.


But to those that are saved, that know the one true living God, well, these people are drawn to us. I am a magnet myself to these ladies. There are some women that I just want to be around, I just can't explain it. Like the fragrance of jasmine on a warm summer night, I am drawn to them. These girls are the ones who are beautiful on the inside, who give an encouraging word in season, who are an example of grace and forgiveness. These women are the first to share kindness and the last to ever speak of another outside of their presence. It's the fragrance of Jesus that I am drawn to.


What fragrance are you wearing today?

Is it Jesus?




13 comments:

A Stone Gatherer said...

A wonderful picture!

Anonymous said...

great reminder!
It's so easy to forget that we are giving off a fragrance no matter where we are at...and people "smell" us! I so want to smell good!!!!

Unknown said...

Hey, girl...the last comment was from me...I made it from another account...sorry about that!

Fran said...

Oh, this was good Joanne. I am praying that my fragrance be that of Jesus...to everyone!

Hugs~
Fran

Tricia said...

I just love this post, I pray that daily I am the fragrance of Christ...

Blessings!

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

What a great post Joanne!

Thanks so much for the gentle reminder....of the type of frangrance I need to be wearing.

Kim~

Mari said...

What a great post! You are right abut being drawn to some people. I have some of them in my life too.

Amy said...

Joanne,

I can smell you all the way on the east coast! lol Seriously, this was a great post and wonderful metaphor! I hope I give off Christ's scent too! Thanks for your post.

Paula V said...

Ideally, I'd like to wear the fragrance that would draw unbelievers to me and then ultimately to Christ. Isn't it a misfortune or sad (?) that we are like stench to the unsaved. Those are the very ones we want to draw and intrigued.

I think Christ's scent is that of sweet fresh lilacs or hyacinths.

Thanks for the visual. I'm not smelling the sweet spring flowers.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I'm wearing "weary" by nick, colton, jadon, and amelia. But I'm also wearing "Jesus" by, well, Jesus.

Only by his grace do I wear them both.

peace~elaine

Genny said...

What a great reminder! Thank you! (And that citrus lotion sounds great!) LOL.
Hope all is well,
Genny

Megan said...

Oh please let it be Jesus!!! :) I came here today because I couldn't get myself jump started in my quiet time and I wanted a spring board... I knew I would find a little nudge. Thank you!
-Meg

Aunt Angie said...

"...the aroma of life leading to life."---Oh Joanne, I loved that. I KNOW I have been a stinky smell before. MANY times!
But I so want to be a sweet smell ALWAYS to Him. I have made Him ashamed I am sure by a bad attitude---but I strive--as we all do---to put on the mind of Christ in all things.
I love you and MISS you girl!!!

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin