The Fragrance of Life

As I got in my car one day to drive to work, it didn't take me very long to notice the lingering scent of a friend who had been in my car the day before. I was caught off guard by how much that smell impacted me. My heart was instantly engaged as I was reminded of that person and the fun conversations we'd had in the car. As I went throughout my day, I kept getting whiffs of their scent, and each time my heart responded. I feel like the Lord was intentional to give me this experience, as it allowed my heart to connect deeply with His word when it was taught on Sunday morning. The passage of scripture talked about was 2 Corinthians 2:14-17:

"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. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God."

This piece of scripture resonated through my heart as I thought about the impact an aroma has on the heart. To smell the scent of a person I care for and love brings about sentimental emotions that make me smile and long for more depth and intimacy with them. It makes me miss them and wish they were with me in that moment. At the same time, a scent that reminds me of a person who has caused pain in my life can be as equally powerful. It causes me to hurt, withdraw, and seek comfort in something else.

As I think about the impact aroma has on the heart, it makes me wonder what kind of fragrance I spread throughout the world. I think about my friends and my family, my coworkers and my clients, even the tired cranky lady in the grocery line... and wonder how my spiritual fragrance impacts their heart. Does it make them smile and long for more of the Truth and Love I live for? Does it make them bitter and resentful of the pain I have caused them, striking fear and a pursuit of comfort in something other than Christ? Or do they even smell anything at all?