MINISTERS MUSINGS

SEPTEMBER 2006 MUSING

The Fragrance of Life

My Father had an unfortunate and unusual affliction. When still a young lad he lost his sense of smell. Imagine not being able to track down the fish and chip shop in a strange place or not being able to savour the aroma of freshly baked bread! Think of the fragrance of a rose, the heavy scent of lilies, the smell of new mown hay and so on. Of course, some smells are not so pleasant. The waft of farm manure for instance. I must admit that even that rather ripe odour evokes childhood memories for me. I was brought up in a village comprising five farms where such odours were commonplace, and it reminds me of carefree childhood days. Smells awake memories and I am sure you can associate certain aromas with people or events. I recently lost a loved pet and where her basket used to be I placed flowers picked from the garden where she loved to roam and lie in the sun to warm her tummy. When I went into the room the next day there was a lovely fragrance from the Flox. The gentle fragrance of Flox will always remind me of dog Sally.

As Christians we too should spread abroad a fragrance from knowing Christ. Paul wrote that we are to God the aroma of Christ, and to those who are being saved the fragrance of life. ( 2 Corinthians Ch 2) He also bids us to live in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us a ‘fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.’ May our lives always be sweet smelling with of our love and knowledge of Jesus as we reach out and touch the lives of those around us.