You might have heard that the sense of smell is the strongest sense tied to memory. This essentially has to do with how we store information. When our brain remembers something, it tries to take in all the sensory information around us. As time goes by, however, only the strongest sense associations’ stay with the memory and that usually is the sense of smell. Think about it ... just a whiff of a certain aroma can transport you through time and space to a certain event or place. Maybe freshly baked goodies, a particular cleaning product, cologne or perfume, or any other fragrance can help you recall something meaningful and important. It really is extraordinary if you think about it!
The Apostle Paul must have known about this phenomenon, too. In II Corinthians 2.14-16 he wrote, "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?" (emphasis mine)
Paul is making a direct connection here between the sense of smell and memory/knowledge! He is saying that as we impact the world, the sweetness of GOD's love lived out in the lives of GOD's people creates an indelible impression on the lives of those impacted. So in essence, when we serve, share, and shine to others for GOD, it is a total sensory experience that impacts this person's life for eternity!
Paul asks in verse 16, "And who is equal to the task?" This is quite a question, isn't it? Living for GOD can seem daunting at times, can't it? We might struggle with loving others, working with and for the poor, getting out of our comfort zone to welcome a stranger, or make sacrifices to be generous. When first faced with such a question we might think we can easily raise our hands and say, "Me, me, me!" but when we really count the cost, we might run the risk of thinking we just can't put ourselves out there like that. It seems pretty easy on the surface, but it becomes quite a challenge in reality, doesn't it!?
Make no mistake about it, our world is in trouble. It doesn't take a lot for the stench of death to remind us of all the struggle and suffering in our midst. You name it, turn on the news and you'll be confronted with enough famine, pestilence, and violence to make you think there isn't any hope. But the promise of the Gospel says that the sweet smell of life is stronger than that of death. The world, my friends, needs GOD's aroma, and every single one of us has been especially selected for the task of being the sweet fragrance of Jesus (NEW LIFE!!!) in the world.
We are called to spread GOD's light, love, and fragrance with the world. Jesus said, "...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5.16) We are, in other words, GOD's aromatherapy candle shining in the darkness and adding the Lord's sweet fragrance to a world in decay. Are you up for this task, being sent to be GOD's scent in the world?
So let the light of GOD shine brightly in you today and spread the sweetness of GOD's love with the world around you! You are sent to be GOD's scent -- the aromatherapy of new life -- so others can know of GOD's love and remember GOD's promises even when surrounded by the decay of the world.
Shine brightly and smell sweetly, my friends!!!
The Apostle Paul must have known about this phenomenon, too. In II Corinthians 2.14-16 he wrote, "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?" (emphasis mine)
Paul is making a direct connection here between the sense of smell and memory/knowledge! He is saying that as we impact the world, the sweetness of GOD's love lived out in the lives of GOD's people creates an indelible impression on the lives of those impacted. So in essence, when we serve, share, and shine to others for GOD, it is a total sensory experience that impacts this person's life for eternity!
Paul asks in verse 16, "And who is equal to the task?" This is quite a question, isn't it? Living for GOD can seem daunting at times, can't it? We might struggle with loving others, working with and for the poor, getting out of our comfort zone to welcome a stranger, or make sacrifices to be generous. When first faced with such a question we might think we can easily raise our hands and say, "Me, me, me!" but when we really count the cost, we might run the risk of thinking we just can't put ourselves out there like that. It seems pretty easy on the surface, but it becomes quite a challenge in reality, doesn't it!?
Make no mistake about it, our world is in trouble. It doesn't take a lot for the stench of death to remind us of all the struggle and suffering in our midst. You name it, turn on the news and you'll be confronted with enough famine, pestilence, and violence to make you think there isn't any hope. But the promise of the Gospel says that the sweet smell of life is stronger than that of death. The world, my friends, needs GOD's aroma, and every single one of us has been especially selected for the task of being the sweet fragrance of Jesus (NEW LIFE!!!) in the world.
We are called to spread GOD's light, love, and fragrance with the world. Jesus said, "...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5.16) We are, in other words, GOD's aromatherapy candle shining in the darkness and adding the Lord's sweet fragrance to a world in decay. Are you up for this task, being sent to be GOD's scent in the world?
So let the light of GOD shine brightly in you today and spread the sweetness of GOD's love with the world around you! You are sent to be GOD's scent -- the aromatherapy of new life -- so others can know of GOD's love and remember GOD's promises even when surrounded by the decay of the world.
Shine brightly and smell sweetly, my friends!!!
