“What’s That Smell?”

I love perfume. My loved ones cannot go wrong buying me a favorite fragrance for any birthday, anniversary, or Christmas present. I know that I am dating myself, but one of the commercials on TV before we left for Congo in 1978 was for Charlie cologne. Anybody remember that commercial about the Charlie girl? I was thrilled when a missionary woman gave me her half-used bottle of Charlie. I knew right away that I wanted to use it sparingly. Without a mall to replace the bottle I  had acquired, I made a conscious decision to hoard it. I would only spritz myself with the fragrance every now and then on special occasions. In less than a year, Congo’s humidity had turned the sweet-smelling contents into rancid alcohol, making me not want to spray myself anymore. I couldn’t bring myself to throw the bottle away. It sat on my dresser for three more years, useless to me other than being a pretty container.

We live in a world dying for answers. The latest trend in our society’s search for meaning is to explore all things spiritual. Most of these “spiritual” quests have nothing to do with Jesus Christ, but are individual human being’s attempts at being their own god. There is no peace found in any of these ventures to “enlighten” themselves. We are completely incapable of fulfilling the God-shaped void in our hearts that can only be satisfied when we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ. 

Those of us who know Him are His fragrance to others. I want to ask us: how do we wear His aroma? Are others drawn to us because we are the most trustworthy, loving, and kind individuals they know or do we reek of alcohol like my old bottle of Charlie because we hoard Him to ourselves? Christ meant for our lives to be lived in such a way that we make Him famous, that He become irresistible to those who come in contact with us. We were never meant to be useless bottles of rancid perfume that are of no value to anyone. Instead, we want others to ask us, What is that wonderful smell and where can I get some? about our lives. 

How do we do this? We open our mouths and start sharing the Good News that Jesus is the answer for the world today. When we are out doing errands, sitting in a doctor’s waiting room, flying on an airplane, we need to spray some of the fragrance of Christ on those around us. 

Jesus, help others to want to know You because of the difference You have made in my life. May they be envious of the joy I have found in You and ask me, What’s that smell? May they be drawn to You because they smell the sweet aroma of Christ on me.