The Scent

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