“But thanks be to
God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us
spreads everywhere the fragrance of him.”
II Corinthians 2:14
(NIV)
The perfume had
a fragrance unlike any other. One spray and I was immediately in a luxurious world
of perfect hair and skin, toned thighs and straight, super-white teeth. The
only catch was the cost: it was extremely expensive. As I debated about whether
or not to buy a bottle – a small bottle – I began to justify the expense in my
mind. I wouldn’t use it every day but would save it for special occasions.
And then when I
DID use it, I would limit myself to one quick spray only. That way, I thought,
it would last longer. I bought a small bottle and put it on the top shelf in
the bathroom. I periodically took it down to admire the beautiful bottle but I
didn’t use it.
My husband kept
asking “When are you going to use that expensive perfume that you just had to
have?” and I would reply “Some day, for a special occasion.” What a big mistake
that was!
Three months
after my pricey purchase, I saw the bottle on the top shelf and decided the
time had come to use the perfume. I carefully pulled out the gorgeous bottle.
Off came the lid and I excitedly sprayed my neck with the amazing fragrance. But
instead of a beautiful scent I immediately began coughing.
The fragrance
was rancid and smelled like the bottle had been filled with vinegar, toilet
bowl cleaner and motor oil and shaken up. I quickly grabbed a towel and started
wiping off my neck. My plan to keep the perfume for a special occasion had kept
me from using it altogether and it had become stale and quite frankly, disgusting!
That is exactly
what happens to the fragrance Christ wants me to be by sharing His love and
mercy but I decide to wait for the perfect opportunity . . . someday. There are needs all around me; people are
hurting every minute of every day. And yet, forgive me, but I have said to
myself “Some day, I’ll write that note or visit that widow or call the lady who
has been gone from church for weeks.”
And I justify my
decision by thinking “Someday, when I have more time or when I’m less busy or
when the kids are older or when I am retired, THEN I will have time to be the
hands and feet of Jesus.” And what happens? The “someday” never comes . . . and
the fragrance of compassion becomes the stench of procrastination.
Please, hear
this cry from my heart: if you put off sharing the fragrance of Jesus with
someone who is hurting until the perfect day, the opportunity to share with
that person may never come again. Don’t put off sharing the fragrance of Christ
for someday. Do it today!
Father, I want to be the fragrance of you
and not put off being your reflection to the hurting because I am waiting for
the right moment. That moment is now. And I am ready to serve you. In Jesus’
Name. Amen.
R.A.P. it up . . .
Reflect
- Have
you ever opened an old bottle of perfume and noticed the stale odor?
- How do
you think the Lord feels when we choose to be a stale odor instead of a
beautiful fragrance of Jesus to people around us?
Apply
- Place a
bottle of perfume in the sock drawer of your dresser along with a note
card with II Corinthians 2:14 on it.
- Every
time you open the drawer, ask the Lord to show you how you can be a
fragrant example of Christ to someone around you who is hurting.
Power
- II
Corinthians 2:14 (NIV) “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in
triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the
fragrance of him.”
- II
Corinthians 2:15 (NIV) “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those
who are being saved and those who are perishing.”
- Matthew
25:40 (NIV) “…I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least
of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
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