What is the atmosphere like in your home? Is it filled with bickering, arguments, criticisms and complaining? Or, is it filled with the sweet presence of Christ? God wants us to live in an atmosphere of His sweet presence, just as He wanted His priests to live in the aroma of sweetness in the tabernacle. The recipe for the incense in the holy place was to be made of SWEET spices that were to be tempered until they were PURE and HOLY (Exodus 30:34-38).
2 Corinthians 2:14 WEB says that Christ "reveals through us the SWEET AROMA of his knowledge in every place." Did you notice that it says "IN EVERY PLACE"? That means your home. That means in your kitchen. That means when the baby is crying, the toddler is having a fit, the pots are boiling over on the stove, and your husband is demanding your attention! In every place and in every situation. Because, dear mother, it doesn't matter what is happening in your life, Christ lives in you and His attitude is SWEET! You can't do it in your own strength, but as you acknowledge His sweet and holy presence in you.
I love the J. B. Phillips' translation of this verse, "Thanks be unto God who leads us, WHEREVER WE ARE, on his own triumphant way and makes our knowledge of him spread through the world like a lovely perfume! We Christians have the unmistakable 'scent' of Christ." Do I? Do you?
My husband also mentioned this Scripture in his post to men this morning. He comments, "This means it begins in the home. How? By singing the Lord's songs, speaking encouraging words, smiling from your heart, helping one another, bearing one another's burdens, speaking the truth in love, sharing testimonies of Christ working in our lives, and opening ourselves up in a bright and positive way to one another. All these, and many more, fill the home with the fragrant atmosphere of Christ."
May your home be filled with the unmistakable scent of Christ today.
Love from Nancy Campbell