TITLE: The Fragrance of Beauty By Donna Howard 08/30/06 |
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The Fragrance of Beauty
“For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.” II Cor. 2:15
I stepped out onto the patio at the back of my home one morning, and was immediately aware of a lovely fragrance hanging in the air. Without seeing it, I knew it came from a rose, for a rose has its own distinctive aroma. I breathed in deeply, delighting in the sweetness, and then went in search of the blossom so I could enjoy its visual beauty as well.
However, as I drew nearer to the, deep-red American Beauty rose, another smell caught my attention. I drew back and wrinkled my nose in distaste. I recognized that smell, too. It was the harsh, bitter odor of onions growing in our neighbor’s vegetable garden near-by. The two fragrances did not mingle well at all. In fact, they clashed. The odor of the onion distracted from the lovely fragrance of the rose.
My thoughts snapped to a Bible verse I had read that morning about Christians being “the sweet savor of Christ,” and I winced at the question that forced its way into my mind. What fragrance defines my life? Are others aware of the sweet fragrance of Christ, or do they smell the ugly odor of worldliness in me? Do they yearn to meet Christ and partake of His beauty because they see the sweet fruit of his Spirit working in me, or do they turn from him because they see the bitter, worldly odor of hypocrisy and pride?
Lord, help me to search deeply into my life today. Show me any areas of worldliness and hypocrisy, and help me to conquer them so others will see only the sweet fragrance of your beauty in me. Amen.
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