Becoming the Fragrant Aroma of Christ

This evening I went to the river bed of Beaver Creek where several years ago I would regularly come to be in the living waters and presence of the Lord.  These waters are very sacred to me because I would hear the voice of the Lord who gave me guidance during significant transitions in my life.

I didn't realize it until I was sitting there writing that I am again in a significant transition of my life.  Again God is closing the door of my current residence to another place of not knowing where that place may be.  It is almost exactly five years ago when I heard the voice of the Lord instruct me to sell my house and all of my possessions.  On July 4th, 2013, I accepted an offer on my personal home that I did not want to sell. God revealed to me that it was necessary in order for Him to lead me into my vocation which would fulfill His divine purpose through a ministry.

Sitting here, I recognize that God was not only testing me, but setting me free of who I thought I had to be.  In that moment of God instructing me to sell my home, it was the moment of preparation and equipping me for ministry.  As I reflect now of God's divine works in me, He was aligning my will with His divine will.  He was transforming my heart's desire for the things that He desired of me to walk out my faith journey to Serve and Love His people.

The teachings that He instilled in me through this process was about becoming the fragrant aroma of Christ.  Those teachings are prayer, repentance, witness, love, surrender and obedience.  These teachings have been a process of sacrifice which is exactly what Christ did for us when He lamented in despair and asked God three times, "Let this cup pass from me if it is your will."  It was a time of aligning Christ's will with His Father's that came with a reckless sacrifice and incomprehensible Love for all of humanity, our past sins, and future sins.

No wonder God looked upon Jesus and said, "My beloved, with you I am well pleased."  Jesus' sacrifice was a fragrant aroma to God where He now sits at the right hand of God.  Our sacrifices too are a fragrant aroma to God because we are becoming like minded with Jesus.  And before Jesus departed to heaven, He promised us that, "We are going to do even greater things than He because He is going to the Father on our behalf."  What comfort and peace He gives us so that no matter what is asked of us or we are going through, when we take that next step with confidence trusting and knowing that God already has it all worked out for our good despite us not knowing or seeing where that may be.

I have tasted and seen His goodness over and over again in my life.  This is why I can be at peace during this next transition of not knowing where He is going to open the doors for me to live.  Friends, remember that no matter what the enemy tries to throw at us, Colossians 2:15 says, "The fragrant offering disarmed the power and authorities."  So, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"  Remain focused on Jesus and in all things be the pleasing sacrifice and aroma for God for our rewards are eternal and not of this world.

What aroma are you spreading?

Acts of a negative attitude or sinful nature which in Galatians 5:19-21 states is, "Sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery (lusts), idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissension, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like."  This aroma warns us that, "Those who live a life like this will not inherit the Kingdom of God." 

Continue to seek Him more so that you can "Keep in step with Spirit" being filled with the fruit of the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  By this, others will smell and know the fragrant aroma of Christ Jesus.  Amen.