Sweet Fragrance

As I began pulling off the first section of an orange peel, the aroma was refreshing and sweet and I could hardly wait to eat the orange.  The more I peeled the orange, the stronger the fragrance.  My hands also absorbed some of the smell and even after washing them, a light scent of the orange still remained.  And when I ground the orange skin in the garbage disposal, the aroma seemed to permeate the room.   I noticed that when I went back into the kitchen, after doing a few chores, that the aroma of the  orange peel still lingered.

Whether it’s the fragrance from an orange peel, food, flowers, or perfume, we tend to appreciate pleasant smells and sometimes associate them with special occasions and memories.  In 2 Corinthians 2, Paul reminds us that our lives are to be a fragrant offering to God.  Wherever we go and whatever we do, we are to share and spread the message of Jesus, like a sweet perfume, to everyone we encounter.  Because of our relationship with Jesus, Christ in us, our lives are a pleasing fragrance to God.  May our lives continually permeate the sweet fragrance of Christ’s great love, provision, care, and hope for all.  And may the scent be extra sweet and strong during the trials/garbage disposal moments of life.

                                                      

But thanks be to God! For through what Christ has done, he has triumphed over us so that now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Gospel like a sweet perfume.  As far as God is concerned there is a sweet, wholesome fragrance in our lives. It is the fragrance of Christ within us, an aroma to both the saved and the unsaved all around us.

2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (The Living Bible)

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.

Psalm 34:8 (The Message)