The fragrance of Christ

In my opinion one of creation’s greatest sensory pleasures is provided by something which can’t be seen: the scent of flowers. Have you ever walked through a garden, closed your eyes, and enjoyed the beautiful fragrance coming from the flowers? It’s a sublime indulgence! I find the scent of roses, lilacs, delphinium and countless others a divine treat!

Fragrance is a subtle and complex thing, and those perfumers who can get a commercial perfume just right get paid handsomely. However, that’s not an easy feat. We have all come across cheap scents which are unsubtle, overpowering, and sometimes, even downright stomach-turning.

As ambassadors of Christ we’re meant to spread Christ’s subtle and complex aroma wherever we go. And we too can so easily get it wrong. We may leave out subtleties, be unbalanced and overpowering, and thus become an unpleasant scent to those around us. What I’ve noticed is that even those who are spiritually blind, the unbelievers, are able to detect whether we’re ‘the real deal’ or not. They seem to intuitively know whether we’re genuine in our Christian walk or not. By and large cover-ups don’t fool anyone.

The aroma of Jesus Christ, much like a floral or commercial fragrance, is difficult thing to define. Though it’s very real it’s also unseen, hard to put into words, perhaps even indescribable. There are many subtleties and complexities involved in its substance and its scope stretches far beyond outward appearances. It has to do with our heart motivation, with the way we do things and the way we say things. It relates to the look in our eyes and how we think and behave when no one else is watching. It encompasses every aspect of our behaviour.

Another interesting thing about scents is that they’re intrinsically linked to our memory. Perhaps you’ve met a few people in your life who’re so like Jesus that you’d say they really brought this amazing aroma, the fragrance of Christ, into your life. You’ll never forget them. If you’re anything like me you find it a challenge to be like these people - a person who genuinely brings something of Christ’s fragrance everywhere you go. The good news is that we can ask God for help. So why not ask Him for that today?

Prayer: Father in heaven, I realise that it’s a wonderful thing to bring Christ’s fragrance into this world. I don’t find it easy and today I’m asking you to help me, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, to be more like Jesus in everything I do, say and think. In Jesus’ name I ask. Amen.