This week we have looked at the impact of our 5 senses. God gave us each to help us enjoy life and to see Him. The 5 senses are sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Today we will finish up with the sense of smell.
Let me cut to the chase… what are your favorite smells? Oh this question ought to conjure up lots of different ideas, opinions and even memories. Let’s go there.
For me: fresh baked bread (like my aunt Shelly used to make), homemade chocolate cake (that our friend Libby and later my mom would make), fresh baked chocolate cookies or brownies, krispy kreme donuts, homemade tortillas on a clay stone in Honduras, honey suckle in spring, fresh roses, room freshly cleaned, clothes off the clothes line, the air after rain, the ocean and salt water spray, mom’s favorite perfume… As you can tell I like food. But there are so many more.
How about what are your favorite smells?
Now, what are God’s favorite smells? That is a tough one, but here is a thought on that.
Ephesians 5:2 NLT
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Can you smell that? God can and does. We are pleasing to Him when we live a life sacrificed to God.
In fact many of the smells I shared about were from others who were thinking of me or of serving others in some way. Those smells remind us that it is important to help others enjoy life and know they are special.
2 Corinthians 2:16 NLT
To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?
Then there are those bad smells. Don’t share those because some of them can get disgusting or even bring memories we don’t want. Yet that last verse reminds us that our lives can bring either a good or bad smell.
Taking care of our own bodies and cleaning up after ourselves helps us deal with what doesn’t smell very pleasant. Make sure we turn those bad things in to good ones, horrible smells in to pleasant, selfish in to selfless, and the god-less in to the God filled.
Smells matter. In fact what we smell often fuels our thoughts of life, health and joy. Do something for someone else. Take time to honor God.
2 Corinthians 2:14 NLT
But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.
It is our living for God, worshipping God and sharing the good news of God that is like sweet selling perfume. May we be that and often.
Thank God for the sense of smell. May we enjoy the goodness of God and what He has blessed us with. See you at church this Sunday!
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