But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)
Some folks wear too much scent. You know what I'm talking about. If you do even the most minimal hug with air kisses you will walk away carrying their fragrance for the rest of the day. You will, with justification, feel that you have just been "sprayed" by an animal, marked as their territory. You might like the scent, though it is more likely that this will only happen with fragrances you would prefer not to carry.
Others wear just the right amount. You catch it, subtly, and you may even leave with the slightest hint lingering at the fringes of your consciousness. Love it or hate it, this is much easier to deal with.
In this day when we recognize the discomfort many experience from allergies, more and more folks wear no scent (blessings be upon them).
The reality here is that we pick up fragrance by contact. If we are to be "the aroma of Christ to God" then we need to be in contact with Christ.
May it be obvious we have spent time with him. May we not be obnoxious in the process. May those who come into contact with us have a delightsome experience and go away with pleasure.
Almighty God our heavenly Father, renew in us the gifts of your mercy; increase our faith, strengthen our hope, enlighten our understanding, widen our charity, and make us ready to serve you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
--the BB
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