The fragrance of heaven is a living and palpable thing.
If I have to believe anything beyond being saved by the blood of Christ, it’s that my kids made decisions for Christ at a point in their lives, and that my granddaughters will as well.
I can’t, however, leave it there. I must stoke and fan the flames of my own salvation to keep the fragrance of heaven wafting over and through and around me.
Now thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ and through us reveals the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God a sweet fragrance of Christ among those who are saved and among those who perish.
2 Corinthians 2:14-15 MEV
The question each one must answer, and continually monitor and adjust to is: how do I embrace the fragrance of heaven and release it to those around me? Dear Reader, may I suggest a few simple, but integral, ways that are helpful to me?
As Christ-followers, Jesus exhorted us to love others as we love ourselves. We tend to focus on the first part of His exhortation, but how can we love others, if we don’t love (tend, care for, pamper once in a while) ourselves?
When we neglect ourselves, after a while, we begin to stink with self-pity, frustration, maybe even disgust with ourselves or others. In order to embrace the fragrance of heaven so it can permeate everything around us, we must take care of ourselves.
‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’
Mark 12:31 (excerpt) MSG
For the last year, the Lord’s been showing me the blessing of being kind to people I have no attachment to, not the in-laws, or neighbors, or someone in my small group, but strangers. I believe the fragrance of heaven is strongest when we give with absolutely no repayment in mind to tarnish the gift.
Don’t forget to be kind to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
Hebrews 13:2 TLB
To me, Dear Reader, this is the linchpin to embracing and scattering the fragrance of heaven wherever we go: devoting time to be alone with God on a regular basis.
I can truthfully say that care for myself and kindness to others starts and ends here.
Very early the next morning before daylight, Jesus got up and went to a place where he could be alone and pray.
Mark 1:35 CEV
Ways to embrace, and spread, the fragrance of heaven: care for yourself, be kind to others, and spend time alone with God.
In a world of so much and so many kinds of pollutants, how would it change if we intentionally found ways to become the fragrance of heaven in it?
