Scriptures: “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 who are perishing.” (II Corinthians 2:14-15)
In 1983, when I first came to the United States, I worked so hard to adapt to this new country, new life style, new culture and this new system of how everything in life works. In fact, it demanded so much of me that I totally forgot about various holidays and festivals we had back in Taiwan. One day, when a friend of mine came to invite me to his house for the Chinese New Year, I was surprised, “Is it that time of the year already?” It completely escaped my mind!
When I got to his home, the minute I entered the house, the aroma of the food his Mom was cooking captured my attention. Not only did it bring back memories of many, many tasty food we had in Taiwan, it also brought back many wonderful memories of things and people close to my heart there. The time I spent with friends walking down the night market, sharing heart and laughter over midnight snacks, heart-warming family reunion, and many, many other memories I left behind. That night, I really felt like I found a home away from home.
There were many other aromas that night. But his Mom’s cooking reminded me of my homeland, Taiwan, and my life there. Just like that, there are many spiritual aromas out there, but only Christ-like lives will bring out “the aroma of Christ” (II Corinthians 2:15) that reminds people of the life and work of our Lord Jesus.
As we are commanded to be the aroma of Christ to God, we need to ask ourselves first if we know the aroma of Christ? If not, let’s ask our Lord to awake our spiritual senses so we may find Him, the Way, the Truth and the Life for us. If so, are we totally submerged in it so the fragrance of Him goes all the way into the inner most part of our being? Are we living a life style that gives out that aroma to show the glory and beauty of a life in our Lord Jesus? May God help us to pursue a life style that spreads the aroma of Christ right where we are!
Prayer Requests:
Those who have dulled their spiritual senses in their worldly life style that they can not and will not recognize the aroma of Christ.
Prayer:
Father God, we thank you for giving us new lives through Your Son, Jesus! We ask that You continue to watch over us as we go through this journey of life and keep our spiritual senses alert so we bring fragrance of Christ to this needy and hurting world. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!
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1 comment:
Yes. Precisely. It always help me pray when my senses are involved.
It has been 20 years since I was a missionary in Spain, and even today, I cherish a good arabica cup of cappicino or a savory piece of andalucia chorizo. It is at those times when I can close my eyes and can remember many of the my friends I had there. This always leads me to pray more ferverently for them.
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