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