Author Rita Snowden tells a delightful story about visiting a small village in Dover, England. Sitting outside a café one afternoon enjoying a cup of tea, she became aware of a beautiful scent. Rita asked a waiter where it was coming from, and was told it was the people she could see passing by. Most of the villagers were employed at a nearby perfume factory. As they walked home, they carried the fragrance that permeated their clothes out into the street.

What a beautiful image of the Christian life! As the apostle Paul says, we are the aroma of Christ, spreading His fragrance everywhere (2 Cor. 2:15). Paul uses the image of a king returning from battle, his soldiers and captives in tow, wafting the smell of celebratory incense in the air, declaring the king’s greatness (v. 14).

We spread the aroma of Christ in two ways. First, through our words: telling others about the One who is beautiful. Second, through our lives: doing deeds of Christlike sacrifice (Eph. 5:1–2). While not everyone will appreciate the divine fragrance we share, it will bring life to many.

Rita Snowden caught a scent and was driven to seek its source. As we follow Jesus we too become permeated with His fragrance, and we carry His aroma into the streets through our words and deeds.

Lord Jesus, make us carriers and communicators of Your beauty to the people in our homes, offices, and neighborhoods. Amen.

We are the aroma of Christ to others. As we go through each day and walk this life may we permeate with His fragrance. When I recently read this it caused me to stop and ask myself, what am I communicating of Your beauty to those around me. It’s up to us to carry His aroma into the streets, our homes, offices, and neighborhoods, through our words and deeds and setting an example for others to follow. Look to Him! I never want my ways to cause someone else to stumble, we will be held accountable for all those we cause to stumble. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak (1 Corinthians 8:9). No thing is worth missing heaven over. Let us permeate with His fragrance today and every day.

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 2:14-16