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June 8, 2008
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
The Aroma of Christ, by Tom Norvell
As we have moved through the spring season this year the honeysuckle
and privet hedge (I hope that is correct) have been in full bloom. (I
suppose this happens every year, but it seems more noticeable this
year. I'm not sure why.) As I have walked through the neighborhoods,
stood on the tee box at the golf course, and even as I have stepped out
onto the deck of our house, the sweet aroma of these blooms have been
almost overwhelming. It is not unusual to smell the aroma before the
plants are spotted. The aroma causes you to stop and look around in
wonder, "Where is that aroma coming from?" It has been one of the
blessings of this spring season.
However, as delightful as the aroma is for me, I realize that for some
it is a reminder of allergy season. Instead of being able to enjoy the
sweet smell of spring, their eyes begin to itch, water, and swell. They
begin to sneeze, they become congested, and they get headaches. They
also look around and wonder, "What is it that is causing this
reaction?" Instead of a blessing, they head for the medicine cabinet
for some relief.
To some it is the sweet aroma of spring. To others it is a smell of
misery and agony.
Paul reminds us that we, the followers of Jesus, have a role similar to
that of the plants as we live our lives in this world:
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession
in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the
knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those
who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are
the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life (2
Corinthians 2:14-16 NIV).
The power of this passage is obviously in these words:
For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being
saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of
death; to the other, the fragrance of life.
To the one our life and our message is the smell of death; to the
other, the fragrance of life.
His fragrance is inevitably splashed upon us.
The bushes and flowers that bloom in spring are simply doing what they
were created to do. Honeysuckle and roses grow and bloom. The aroma is
a natural result. To some it is pleasant. To others it is not.
For the follower of Jesus, our task is to do what we have been created
to do, "Spread the knowledge of Him." Some will appreciate us. Some
will not. Some will enjoy us. Some will despise us. Some will be drawn
to us. Some will reject us. Some will want to be near us. Some will run
from us. We cannot control the reaction. All we can do is live the
life.
There is no need to complain or wish things were different. This is the
plan of God. No good will come from moaning and groaning of how we wish
people would get to know us and love us for who we really are. Our task
is to live the life.
If we choose to follow Christ, we become the aroma of Christ. His
fragrance is inevitably splashed upon us. As we live the life some will
stop and ask, "Where is that sweet aroma coming from?" Others will stop
and ask, "What is that awful smell?" There are no other options.
To God, when we live the life, we are the aroma of Christ. That's what
matters.
---------
(c) 2008 Tom Norvell <tomnorvell@mac.com>. Used by permission. A
Norvell Note <http://www.anorvellnote.com> is a weekly email
message from Tom Norvell. Check it out!
RELATED LINKS:
* Aroma!
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200709/20070910_aroma.html
* Have You Caught This Aroma?
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200402/20040201_aroma.html
* Fragrance
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200609/20060920_fragrance.html
* A Norvell Note
http://www.anorvellnote.com
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200806/20080608_aroma.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
VELVET ELVIS: REPAINTING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, by Rob Bell
In this provocative, hopeful book, Bell asks what the church might look
like if today's believers fully embraced "the way" of love, peace,
sharing possessions, compassion, risk, forgiveness, and harmony.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?254
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
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