Have you ever been in your yard and smelled something delicious? Instinctively you know that someone nearby is grilling out. Whether it be steaks, chicken, burgers etc., the wonderful smell just floats over to where you are. The next thing you know, you’re ready to light your grill! It’s just a pleasing aroma to your senses and you want to get in on this. You’re now making a list and heading to the grocery store. Let’s get this dinner started!
As human beings, we love good smelling food, candles and certain perfumes. We’re just drawn to certain fragrances. Everyone is unique in what appeals to them. God is outside of our space, time and dimension. We’re created in His image but He is obviously a little different when it comes to the senses. “Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.“ (Ephesians 5:2 NLT) Ahh! This is different. Jesus, who was and IS our ultimate example, lived a sacrificial life of love that was a pleasing aroma to God. This got The Father’s complete attention. He was watching the earthly life and ministry of Jesus and He said, “That smells good”. Let’s face it, the offering of one’s self seems hard. The death of Jesus wasn’t pretty to the naked human eye, but the Father saw it as pouring out God’s love on mankind. It was a pleasing aroma to breathe in the fact that Jesus did the unthinkable for people who had no hope on their own. It must have smelled like freedom for captives. This was pleasing to The Father.
Since we are to follow the example of Christ, shouldn’t we be showing the world sacrificial love? Sounds good, right? My friends, this, to me, is easier said than done. I don’t always feel like laying aside my wants and desires for someone else to get their needs met. I don’t always feel like putting my agenda on hold to help someone else. I know this sounds borderline selfish but I’m just being real. Service to others does not come naturally to us. We are human beings living in a fallen world. It comes more natural to worry about my needs. This is the reason it’s a “sacrifice” to put others before yourself. “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” (Hebrews 13:16 NLT) If Jesus is your Lord, God will supply the grace and the “want to” you need in order to serve others and be a pleasing fragrance to God. Once you do it, you will find that you are more blessed than you ever could have imagined. You set out with the intention to “do” for someone else and God winds up blessing you in the process. You cannot out give God.
The Lord uses His people to be His hands and feet in the world. The Bible says we are ambassadors of Christ. He’s not asking us to do anything that He hasn’t equipped us to do. “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” (Romans 12:1 NLT) It truly is worshipping our Lord when we even just open a door for someone. A kind word to someone who is downtrodden goes a long way. You just never know what people are going through. But what we do know is, to God, it’s a pleasing aroma when you step out and represent Him.
Today’s writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband Robby and cat Harold.
