2 Cor. 2:14-15 (The Message)
…In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance.  [15] Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation-an aroma redolent with life.  

Genesis 12:2-3 (The Message)
       I'll make you a great nation
           and bless you.
       I'll make you famous;
           you'll be a blessing.
        [3] I'll bless those who bless you;
           those who curse you I'll curse.
       All the families of the Earth
           will be blessed through you."

Genesis 12:2-3 is the core of covenant God made with Abraham. God promised to make Abraham's descendents into a great nation; one which would be looked up to and admired by the rest of the world as a model for the full and abundant life in constant partnership with God.  God gifted the Israelites with the knowledge of good hygiene, disease prevention, healthy eating habits, and even a recipe for liquid lye soap and its use (Numbers 19:5-21)-all for the purpose of living noticeably longer than other people. He also gifted them with the knowledge of gracious hospitality and generous stewardship: expected behaviors which please others and please God. All these things and more were brought down to Earth as teachings to enable God to bless the entire world through His people.

God has wanted all along for us to be a model of living, giving, and forgiving to those around us.  The aroma of our behavior is to be sweet, loving, and agreeable to those we rub elbows with every day…and to God. Through us, all the world will come to know that God is who He says He is.

So I ask myself, "Do the people around me even know that I am a Christian?  Can they tell from my language, my countenance, my work ethic, my value system, my interactions with them that I am at least trying to be a man of God? More importantly, does God smile at the aroma of my life?"

I think my core responsibility as a Christian is to live in such a manner that God may bless others through me.  I am to be a minister of the New Covenant which is rooted in a continual communion with God through Jesus and His Holy Spirit.  The people I work with should be able to smell the exquisitely sweet scent of Jesus coming from within me.  I like the thought of that.

Lord, thank you so much for this image and for leading me to these verses this week. I want so much to learn Your ways and to not hinder You from blessing others through me.  Thank you for encouraging me to focus on how my life smells to others…and to You. Someday, maybe soon, someone will notice that I smell pleasingly different from those who do not know you yet. Amen.