You Smell

“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” (2 Corinthians 2:15-16).

Whenever I visit my mom and dad, one of the reasons why I know I’m home is because of the aroma of my parent’s home. I’ve been in hundreds and thousands of homes, but no other place on planet earth smells like mom and dad’s house.

I know I’m home because of the aroma of mom and dad’s home.

There are certain scents that open up a world of fond and pleasant memories. The aroma of freshly baked bread, cookies, or a pie…yum!!!

I love the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the mornings. Just the aroma of good coffee inspires me to get up to tackle the day.

At the same time, there are certain scents that are so acrid, sharp, stinky that we can’t get the smell out of our minds.

Christ-follower, did you know you smell? The question is whether we are an aroma that brings life or an aroma that brings death.

The way we handle the ups and downs, the joys and the heartaches, the victories and failures points people to Jesus, the hope of the world. Or, the way we handle these things demonstrate that we are just as hopeless and lost as anyone else.

Remember, you are children of the King of kings, the Lord of lords. You are fellow co-heirs with the risen Christ. There is nothing happening in the world today where you are alone.

There is enough of the stink in our world. Be an aroma of life wherever you show up today. Show people how God’s people live. May your life point people to Jesus.