The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: ARTIFICIAL (08/11/16)
The first time I went to New York I couldn’t wait to shop in Soho where there is a vast array of shops. It didn’t take long before I was inundated by street vendors trying to lure me into their stores.

I got excited when I found a store selling a variety of high-end perfumes. I made my purchase and continued shopping. It didn’t take long before I recognized it wasn’t the real deal. I began emitting a stench of pure alcohol. I figured if I couldn’t stand myself, I must be irritating to those around me.

Genuine cologne is put together with care from natural ingredients, like oils from flowers, or spices or fruits. They are meant to be pleasing not only for me, but for those around me.

Perfumes are meant to emit a pleasant aroma and I spray perfume on me before I leave the house each morning. I hope my choice of cologne isn’t a turnoff to those around me.

Encyclopedia.com states the amount of alcohol and ratio to water is what distinguishes perfume from “toilet water” or cologne”. I want my life to have a distinctive sweet scent of God and for God. I don’t want to fake my faith, which turns people away, just like “toilet water” does. Do I smell good and pleasing to God and those around me, or putrid and acrid?

After the flood, Noah made an offering to God and from the oils it states in Genesis 8:21: “The Lord smelled the soothing aroma …” When a sin offering was conducted in the Old Testament, the Bible repeatedly states, “a pleasing fragrance to God.” The aromatic aroma was smelled in the heavens as it was on earth. I want my life to be a fragrant oil that is a pleasing scent that rises to my Heavenly Father.

I find great joy thinking that my intimate relationship with God results in Him enjoying a scent of sweetness from me. What is equally exciting I found in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16. It states, “Through us, He brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life,” (MSG).

There is something beyond what the eyes can see when an individual has been saturated in the presence of God. Our senses are not only heightened to the Holy Spirit, but our souls are too. If God tells us His scent in our lives can reach lost souls, then I must learn how to carry the odor of God.

When I am purposeful to allow God to breath His character on me, I can be confident it is not only attractive to Him, but those around me. The purpose, salvation of souls. I can’t think of a more beautiful fragrance.

At the end of the day I have to ask myself, “was I genuine in every situation, discussion, or encounter?” “Did others find me to be the real deal or simply a fake?” Basking in God’s presence is how He can cover me and permeate my mind, body, soul, and spirit. God is what distinguishes me from being a genuine follower of Christ or an artificial representation of God.

The high cost of a perfume usually determines the genuine product from that which is artificial. The perfume I purchased in New York cost less and brought with it an acrid stench. Thankfully, Christ already paid the offering that brings with it something fresh, something new, something deeper, and most of all genuine.

When I accept the offering that Christ paid for my salvation, I have already been given the sweetest and most exquisite fragrance of all. When we take time to know Christ, He imparts a distinct odor in the same way each flower has its own unique scent. When I allow God to saturate me with the Holy Spirit, I feel fresh, new, and it’s then I can release a beautiful aroma to those around me.

I can carry an attractive scent of Jesus or a repulsive stench that isn’t pleasing to God or to others. God wants to release the incense of heaven into my life. He wants me to take a whiff of heaven, which brings God’s exquisite beauty to earth.

www.encyclopedia.com
www.biblegateway.com
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 626 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/23/16
This is an interesting essay. I've never thought of it quite like that. I liked the verses you used to back up your messages. Nicely done.
Bonnie Bowden 
09/01/16
Congratulations, Teresa, for finishing 2nd place in the Beginners category.

I laughed when I read about the stench from the fake perfume; I must have had a bottle of that as well.

Very interesting and well written.