Beautiful, stinky trees
My Christmas tree smells bad.
One of the most wonderful things about Christmas time (other than Jesus) is the smell of Christmas trees. I don't care who you are, those things smell good. But not this one. Our tree looks beautiful. It's nice and full, and tall as well, but it does not smell good.
We give off aromas as well. I can't help but think of those who look like Christians and act like Christians, but are not genuine. This aroma is very foul and I know it must be to the Lord as well.
There are some, though, who's life give off a most beautiful aroma.
"Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil" (John 12:1-3).
Mary loved Jesus and it is obvious from her actions. She took something that was extremely costly, something that they say is usually given to the one she was to be married to, and she used it to anoint the feet of Jesus. This act not only was a beautiful aroma to her Lord, Jesus, but the entire house was filled with the fragrance of the oil as well.
When we love Jesus and we serve Him, and seek to please Him, our aroma will be a sweet smell to those around you, and more importantly, to God.
What is the fragrance of your life?