With all the rain that we’ve had this Spring (and we’ve had a LOT of it!) my backyard looks very nice. Along with the lush green grass, (which seems to need cut every other day!), the leaves of the trees, and various bushes that are blooming, we have lilacs that are in full bloom. Actually, we have a lot of lilacs that are in bloom as we have a total of eight bushes, all of which we planted in various locations around the yard. They are also different colors - white, lavender, pink and a deep purple with white highlights. They are a pretty sight to behold.
Of course, in addition to the nice foliage that they maintain all summer long there is the fragrance. Ah, the sweet smell of lilacs. When we are anywhere out in the yard we can immediately smell them. Since several bushes are located just outside our bedroom, we can enjoy their wonderful fragrance when we have the window open. I even cut a sprig off one of the bushes last week and brought it into the house. Did that ever make the house smell nice!
As I smell the fragrance from our lilacs I am reminded of a spiritual application. In 2 Corinthians 5:14-16 we read the following - “He (God) uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?.”
What Paul is saying here is that, as Christians, as we daily walk in the Spirit, we are a sweet smell to God. Imagine that. God walking among us, delighting in the sweet fragrance of our lives! And we also are a sweet fragrance in the lives of other believers. When they see us, speak with us, work with us, or worship with us, we bring the very fragrance of Jesus into their lives. Now that is something to think about, isn’t it? Just as we like the smell of fresh-blooming flowers, we are a breathe of sweet perfume to others. And other Christians have the same affect upon our lives. They bring the wonderful aroma of Jesus to us.
Now, as much as I love the smell of our lilacs, the sad reality is that they only bloom a short time each year. However, as Christians we have the wonderful privilege of being incredibly aromatic 24/7, all year long! We can bring delight to the lives of others and to the very nostrils of God Himself. Now that is something to be truly excited about!
Lord, I thank you that, as a believer, my life is full of the sweet fragrance of Jesus. This smell pleases You and it also is pleasing to other believers. Help me to live so close to you that my life will be a continual source of spiritual fragrance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Of course, in addition to the nice foliage that they maintain all summer long there is the fragrance. Ah, the sweet smell of lilacs. When we are anywhere out in the yard we can immediately smell them. Since several bushes are located just outside our bedroom, we can enjoy their wonderful fragrance when we have the window open. I even cut a sprig off one of the bushes last week and brought it into the house. Did that ever make the house smell nice!
As I smell the fragrance from our lilacs I am reminded of a spiritual application. In 2 Corinthians 5:14-16 we read the following - “He (God) uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?.”
What Paul is saying here is that, as Christians, as we daily walk in the Spirit, we are a sweet smell to God. Imagine that. God walking among us, delighting in the sweet fragrance of our lives! And we also are a sweet fragrance in the lives of other believers. When they see us, speak with us, work with us, or worship with us, we bring the very fragrance of Jesus into their lives. Now that is something to think about, isn’t it? Just as we like the smell of fresh-blooming flowers, we are a breathe of sweet perfume to others. And other Christians have the same affect upon our lives. They bring the wonderful aroma of Jesus to us.
Now, as much as I love the smell of our lilacs, the sad reality is that they only bloom a short time each year. However, as Christians we have the wonderful privilege of being incredibly aromatic 24/7, all year long! We can bring delight to the lives of others and to the very nostrils of God Himself. Now that is something to be truly excited about!
Lord, I thank you that, as a believer, my life is full of the sweet fragrance of Jesus. This smell pleases You and it also is pleasing to other believers. Help me to live so close to you that my life will be a continual source of spiritual fragrance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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