2 Corinthians 2:14-15 - 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. (NIV)
In my office at work, I am surrounded by many flowers, but most of them are
silk. Although they always look very beautiful, they do not provide a fragrance.
However, that does not stop many people from entering my office to smell the
flowers. People are always so surprised to discover that they are not real.
On the other hand, I have a mini-rose plant on my desk that is real. I am amazed
at how it continues to flower over and over again and how it has such a lovely
fragrance. So now, when people come to smell my beautiful silk flowers, I always
draw their attention to my little rose plant and let them have a smell of the
wonderful, fragrant flowers.
I think that, as Christians, we need to ask ourselves about our fragrance. Are
we more like the beautiful silk roses in my office, looking pretty but without
any fragrance, or are we like the rose plant sitting on my desk, spreading the
aroma of Christ to those around us?
At a study in the spring, the minister explained that she hoped to do a study in
the summer on evangelism but was looking for a better word to use so that she
didn't scare everyone away. I wonder why we are so afraid of sharing our faith.
Perhaps if we think of being the aroma of Christ, we will see evangelism in a
different light or scent.
Prayer: Loving God, we thank You for those people in our lives who have been to
us like the aroma of Christ. Help us to be aware of those around us and how we
can be the aroma of Christ in their lives. Amen.
Ruth McCowan emailzoom@shaw.ca
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Thanks to http://daily.presbycan.ca
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