Tuesday, July 19, 2011

How Do You Smell?

When we lived in central Washington, we lived in the middle of an apple orchard. We knew it was apple season because the trees were blooming, apples began to grow and people were all over tending to them and we looked forward to tasting them! But one thing I discovered while living there is that you know it's apple season before you even see the fruit... you can smell it in the air. 
Have you ever driven through orange groves in California? You can smell the oranges.
Have you walked through the supermarket and smelled the peaches before you even saw them?
I don't know about you, but the smell of fruit makes me want to go to it and taste it!
However, fruit that is not good also has a smell... one that is almost sour. That is generally one I like to stay away from.
Have you ever come into someone's presence and you know right off the bat whether they are someone who is going to be pleasant or not? 
Have you been around someone who was such a pleasure that you just wanted to linger there and be with them? On the other hand, have you been around someone for even a second and realized that that was enough? Their words, actions, attitudes were almost repelling...?
Our attitudes are the reflection of our hearts and you can "smell" it. So, here's my question and I'll just ask it of myself: 
If I have the spirit of Christ in me, then I should be bearing beautiful, tasty fruit... and perhaps I am but in my day to day tasks will my attitude or words draw others towards me to actually "taste" of that fruit which is Jesus? Is the spirit of Christ in me so ripe that others can "smell" it? Or am I putting off a smell that warns others not to get too close? Hmmm. 
Create in me a clean heart O Lord and renew a right spirit in me so that my words and actions are a natural reflection of it and so that I will be a fragrant aroma to draw others to you! 
"Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It's like a fragrance that fills the air." (emphasis mine. 2 Corinthians 2:14, God's Word Translation)

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