A Fragrance Heaven Loves

Well, I do declare, friend. I am mighty glad you found your way over here like a curious little raccoon who just spotted a shiny pie plate glintin’ in the moonlight and decided it was worth inspectin’. Come on through this gate and settle yourself right here on this front porch because we’re fixin’ to talk about somethin’ richer than warm molasses and more surprisin’ than a rooster tryin’ to crow with a whole mouthful of corn. Oh, yes, I was got to watchin’ a plump little rabbit earlier this mornin’ as he was nibblin’ clover like he was tastin’ gourmet cuisine, and it plum reminded me how some things seem real sweet at first but they turn real bitter on you later. That there thought pushed me straight toward 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, where Paul says, “Our lives spread the knowledge of Christ like a sweet perfume, though not everybody smells it the same.”

Now, friend, have you ever eaten somethin’ that tasted mighty fine goin’ down but then made you git to questionin’ your life choices about ten minutes later? Like eight Krispy Kreme doughnuts in one sittin’? Sweet as heaven until your stomach starts preachin’ repentance. That’s exactly what happened to John in Revelation 10:9-11 where the angel handed him a scroll and said, “Take it and eat it.” It tasted sweet as honey, but once it hit his stomach, it turned sour. God’s Word is like that. Sweet to believers. Bitter to those who reject it.

Job said that he treasured God’s words more than daily food in Job 23:12. To us, Scripture is a delicious feast. To others, it is pure misery. And Jesus Himself explained why in John 3:19-20, sayin’ that some folks love the darkness more than the light, so the truth feels like exposure instead of freedom. Paul said, “We are a Christ like fragrance. To those being saved, we smell sweet like life itself. To those who are perishing, we smell like the stench of gloom and doom.

And, friend, we never know how someone will respond. Some folks hear the gospel and light up like a firefly on a summer night. Others wrinkle their noses like a goat sniffin’ somethin’ real suspicious. Our job ain’t to predict the reaction. Our job is to share the gospel. Period.

Father, thank You for makin’ us carriers of Christ’s fragrance. Help us share Your truth with courage, kindness, and love. Let our lives point others to Jesus. In His Name, Amen.

Alright, then, Friend, let me set this here truth beside you the way a wise old hoot owl stays so calm while  keepin’ watch over the whole forest. You just ain’t responsible for who loves the fragrance or who turns away. But you are plum responsible for carryin’ it. Some hearts will soften like warm, meltin’ butter. Others will stiffen like a frozen fence post in winter. But keep right on sharin’, keep right on livin’, keep right on smellin’ like Jesus. And friend, keep right on trustin’ God to handle every single sniffin’ nose.

With joy,

Gwen