This smells good

Maybe you read the title of this devotional and thought, “I’ll just skip this one. This guy’s getting a little too personal.” Well, this is personal. So I’m asking: how do you smell? When Christians use their gifts in the Body of Christ, their service is a pleasing aroma to God. When someone writes a note and says “I missed you at church,” or “I’m praying for you in this difficult time,” or when someone makes a phone call or cooks a meal or teaches a class or checks a roll, that act of service is worship to God. A sweet smelling aroma goes up from that sacrifice to the throne of God, and He says, “That’s worship! That smells good. That gives Me pleasure.”

Often I’ll put in praise tapes as a part of my time with God. If I’m in the office or running or in the car, I might have praise music on. I’ve even been known to break out in song if I’m alone, and sing praises to God at the top of my voice—and when I do, the place I’m in becomes a sanctuary where God is worshipped. I believe God likes it when I do that. My private worship is a pleasing aroma to Him, too. Also, our relationships with others can be an act of worship. When we are in right relationship with others and we’re speaking and sharing and having the right kind of chemistry with people, our interactions are God-honoring and God-glorifying. That’s worship, too. The aroma of it pleases God, and He says, “That makes Me feel good. That is a blessing to Me.” What kind of aroma are you to God in your service, your praise and your personal relationships? In other words, how do you smell?