Corona Devo 2048

But thank God! ...Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. (15) Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God... (16) ...to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.  ~2 Corinthians 2:14-16

~~~

I met a lady for the first time at an after-school event the other night, but when she learned my name, her face brightened, and she said that already "knew" me.  Although we had never met before that moment, earlier that day some of the bakery that I had sent in for the Christian fellowship group had landed on her desk (we share any extras with the office staff).  Apparently my apple cake had preceded me, and (in this case) that had been a good thing.  She was sincere in her gratitude and her appreciation of being appreciated.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  ~Colossians 3:12

But thank God! ...Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. (15) Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God... (16) ...to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.  ~2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Stopping by a residents' room at our local nursing home this week, it warmed my heart to see a (familiar) fuzzy blanket with moose on it covering the bed-ridden tucked-in body of a friend of mine laying in his bed. The blanket had been our sons, but last month I brought it to my friend thinking that it might be a soft touch of home for this gentleman who has very few (any?) touches of home. 

And he must have taken to it, because (weeks later), it now lay smooth and neat as the top layer of his bedding, and his chin rested on the warm fleece as his eyes rested in sleep. 

John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”  ~Luke 3:11

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  ~Matthew 5:7

But thank God! ...Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. (15) Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God... (16) ...to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.  ~2 Corinthians 2:14-16

~~~

I usually find another of the residents napping in bed or a chair, but today, she sat upright in a chair and was leafing-through a wide-ruled school notebook, with colorful stickers dotting the cover.  I recognized it because the decorating of notebooks had been a craft that I had shared-in with the residents last year, hoping that they might use the notebooks for lists, prayers, or journals.  And here she was doing just that.  

Let us not become weary in doing good... ~Galatians 6:9

But thank God! ...Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. (15) Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God... (16) ...to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.  ~2 Corinthians 2:14-16

~~~

In another resident's room, on the wall at eye-level (if laying in bed), hangs a mandate of sorts, titled "Gary's Affrmations".  Simple but mood-altering, the list was written neatly and it radiated God's truth over the inhabitant of the bed it hung by.

The pure positivity and love of Christ that screamed out from the simple bullet points, which included Biblical truths such as, "I am loved" (and correlating Bible verse)  and "I have a purpose" (and correlating Bible verse), etc., made my heart melt.  

The aroma of another follower of Christ was pungent in this room. Whoever wrote that list no longer stood present, but the life-giving perfume of God's love was pasted to the wall in varying shades of brightly colored marker. 

“This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another."  ~Zechariah 7:9

But thank God! ...Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. (15) Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God... (16) ...to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.  ~2 Corinthians 2:14-16

~~~

These fragrances of Christ are some that stem from me, and others that rise from others up to God, but please do not pick up a hint of pride in their pungency, for there is none.  There is nothing special or holy about apple cake, a fuzzy blanket, a notebook dotted with stickers, or a hanging-list of how we are loved by God.  But our God uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume (2 Corinthians 2:14), and He personalizes His pungency to each of us.  

These are not highlighted human examples of God's life-giving perfume...they are just examples.  

How might we be the aroma of Christ to someone today?  
Because we are to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume (2 Corinthians 2:16).

We can ask ourselves this question (and we should), but much more importantly, let's ask God, and He will put us on the scent to serving Him today.

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.  ~Galatians 6:10 

But thank God! ...Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. (15) Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God... (16) ...to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.  ~2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Blessings, 

Sarah 

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com