“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” Mark Twain

The Scent

Living by Grace

This week, Vonnie is hosting Monday Manna, so be sure to pop over to My Back Door and read the other entries, and link up if you want to participate. And we're also discussing this post at Living By Grace today. Would love to have you join the discussion there!


Here's today's verse:
"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."(Ephesians 5:2 NKJV) 
It's getting closer and closer to Thanksgiving - in just ten days, families and friends will be gathering to reflect on the blessings God has given, and enjoy a feast. At least MY family will.

As tasty as the turkey, stuffing, candied yams (yuuummm), green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pie may be, sometimes I've found that even better is the aroma. Sometimes, in fact, I prefer the scent of something to the actual taste.

For example, I love the smell of coffee, but I don't like the taste. Not even a little bit. And, at least in my opinion, most breads (though not all!) smell better than they taste.

But did you ever think about how pleasing our actions can be to God? When we love as God loved us, when we make sacrifices for the kingdom of God, He is pleased. And our sacrifice smells sweet to Him.

In Old Testament times, there were sacrifices for sin, for fellowship, and several other things. Each required giving something up, and the scent of the burning offering rose to heaven. And it pleased the Father.

God asks us to do the same - to love in word and deed, to draw closer to Him, to sacrifice our own needs, desires, and lives for His. And when we do, it is not just pleasing in His sight. It is a pleasing aroma in His nose.

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Thanks for reading! Be sure to stop by Vonnie's blog for more Monday Manna - and come to Living by Grace for a discussion.

Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength

6 comments:

  1. Your analogies always hit home for me. You have me wondering how I have sacraficed for God lately.

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  2. Oh I agree with Terri. You always have such great analogies. Wonder how I'm smelling to God.

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  3. Neat observation, Joanne! Praying our actions as believers today, will be a sweet aroma to our Heavenly Father. God bless!

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  4. Joanne, I love this and I love that we smell so good to Him when we please Him. I like to imagine honeysuckle, lilac, and a hint of orange. Maybe because I like those scents! Beautiful post, friend.

    I too am looking forward to the smells of baking. This will be the first year that Thanksgiving is in my home, meaning I'm the turkey roaster and the hostess. Eeek! I've never baked a Turkey, but my mom assures me I can! ha!

    I do NOT like yam/sweet potatoes! Someone else has to bring them! :)

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  5. Oh, what a great post! I hope that my life is a fragrant offering to God!

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  6. This is a great post. I love it. May my life a light for God.

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