How Do I Smell?
One of today’s scripture passages reads:
“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.” —2 Corinthians 1:14.
My first response was to ask wistfully if I smell enough like Jesus for this to be true.
Then I realized that this is a declaration of truth, not a command, recommendation or instruction! I was looking for a measurement of my success in growing to be like Jesus. Instead, Paul’s statement here in 2 Corinthians is one of gratitude for the understanding that no matter where we go or what the outcomes are, God, in Christ is ALWAYS leading His followers in a conquerors’ parade!
In the previous section, Paul remembers the last trip through Troas, wanting to preach and grow disciples there, but every time he passes through, something happens that makes it impossible to stay more than a few days. I wonder if Paul’s “thanks be to God” statement doesn’t reflect a kind of relief that he was not responsible for the results. Looking at what follows, he says just that!
Because God in Christ always leads us in that twisty-turny, sometimes dizzying, sometimes slogging victory parade, the fragrance of knowing Him wafts from us on every breeze (and maybe from an exhaust fan or two!). The response to that olfactory overture is entirely dependent on whose nose is catching it. Some will breathe deeply of that fragrance and sigh in delight, while others will sniff, stiffen and turn away retching because it smells like a rotting corpse.
I have a barrel out back that is full of weeds and other unsavory, I-don’t-want-you-in-my-compost weeds. It is undergoing anaerobic decomposition…the kind that smells like swamp water. It makes great plant food, and solves the problem of how to make good use of the work the weeds have done. I warn the other people in my house when I am about to open the sloppy, smelly container and distribute the contents. (It doesn’t bother me; my “smeller” has been mostly broken since way before Covid.) The others stay upwind or far away. Even when I can smell it, it smells like fertility and soil health, because I know that will be the result of applying it to my garden and orchard. And very shortly after being exposed to the air, the odor dissipates, and it smells like success! (This is the same stuff I used to strengthen the grapevines.)
So I am thanking God, along with Paul, that He leads us and sees to it that the fragrance of Jesus wafts to the world around me…whether they like it or not!
Hoping I smell like life to you as I am…
Following Jesus every day in the everyday,
Christi
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