Have you though of yourself as an exquisite fragrance? While I enjoy fragrances, especially sigature ones of people I know and can appreciate as they walk by, my husband does not appreciate perfumes or scented candles, or anything of the sort. So, I pretty much abstain. But, the Bible uses the idea of exquisite fragrance in the contest of the peace and grace I’m concentrating on in 2022. Here’s what 2 Corinthians 2:14 says, first from the NIV and then from the Message translations. “But, thaks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.” and “In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, He brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance.”
There are may metaphors for spreading the gospel. Last Sunday at Covenant, we were reminded that we spread the seeds, God waters, and then the Holy Spirit reaps the harvest. In Hebrews we learn there are clouds of witnesses who remind us that they have influenced us for Christ. In a children’s sng I remember, we are to be sunbeams: “I’ll be a sunbeam for him.” When I think about it, these are all physical attributes of actions, but even our “fragrance,” passing by others can show others we have been with Christ, the Messiah.
We walk with confidence, even when we are hurting. We are extra polite to others, especially to those who look like they need a kind word. We smile instead of snarling. We are courteous in traffic. We visit the sick and take time to speak to those we know are discouraged. We are fragrant offerings, just like the acceptable sacrifices in the Old Testament. Often the “aroma” was pleasing to God. I’d like to think we are, like this verse says, spreading the love of Christ, just by walking be. Someone may remember we were there after we have passed by.
Go out today and consciously spread grace and peace through your attitude aroma.
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