How Do You Smell? | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: How Do You Smell? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Frankie Conar
07/31/10
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How Do You Smell?

I am one of the lucky few who have been born with a cast iron stomach. I love riding rollercoaster’s; even seeing other riders who are not as fortunate as me or cleaning up after the unfortunate rider never bothers me. But there is one thing that can turn my stomach quick, body odor. I was reminded of this fact last weekend.

We were at the amusement park, standing in line for my favorite ride. In front of us were two ‘skin head’ couples. Granted it was in the high ninety’s and everyone was more than just a little sweaty; these people were rank. The young man standing in front of me had not taken a shower in some time and obviously had never heard of deodorant. He was wearing a cut off tee shirt, to show off his confederate flag tattoo; the dirty shirt exposed his smelly arm pits at my eye and nose level. Did I mention that they were standing upwind?

I tried to get away from the stench, but wherever I moved the breeze blew in that direction. Most of the time, I stood with my back to them facing my husband. Even with my back turned I could still smell and hear them, their conversation was as rank as they smelled. Thank goodness we were seated on the opposite side of the ride or I might have ‘tossed my cookies’ that day.

Everything about the two young couples, the way they dressed, the way they spoke, their racist views and the way they smelled could be summed up as an unpleasant aroma. What does God smell when he looks at us?

Aroma is a term used in the Bible in association with a sacrifice offering. In Romans 12:1-2 we are told to offer ourselves as living sacrifices in an act of worship. We should live holy lives that are pleasing to God. We should love others, even the smelly ones, and be compassionate toward one another. We should study God’s word and not conform to the ways of the world.

Can you pass God’s ‘sniff’ test? Are you living in his good, perfect and pleasing will so that you are a pleasing aroma to him? Sin is a stench in God’s nostrils, he can not look upon it, and he must turn his back toward sin. That is why his son, Jesus Christ, had to die. To cover the stench of our sin, he became a pleasing sacrifice to God. The precious blood of Jesus is able to cover our sin making us a pleasing fragrance to God.

God is calling us, his children, to transform from the ‘smelly’ ways of the world and be more like his bathed, baby powder fresh child. He longs to hold us close and smell the sweetness of Christ love. How do you smell to God?

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of god’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2 NIV

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