What's That Smell?

It began as an “every now and then” comment in our house in Martinsville. We were experiencing a certain “aroma” – from time to time – and we would look at each other and ask, “What’s that smell?” It wasn’t necessarily a pleasant smell, so we tried to figure it out. Having small children at the time, we made sure there were no dirty diapers left anywhere, and the trash was being taken out VERY regularly. A few days passed. The aroma kept getting stronger. Our comments to each other were becoming more emphatic! “What IS that smell?” I was just certain some kind of small animal had crawled into one of our walls and died. If that was the case, it certainly wasn’t “decaying” in any quick order. The smell kept getting stronger! During this time, my in-laws were coming for dinner, and I was greatly distraught. We could NOT find the source of this smell for anything! So, we lit candles, sprayed good smelling stuff and did everything possible to distract from the detestable odor.

One morning my husband returned from taking our children to school. I didn’t know it yet, but he was determined to find the source of that smell. A few minutes later, he opened the door and his greeting was something quite simple like, “I found it!” “Found what?” I wanted to know. “The smell!”

At that time, we had an extra refrigerator in our garage. In the freezer part, I had placed a couple of turkeys. Unfortunately, something had happened to the power source of that appliance – and now, instead of turkey’s waiting for “basting” we had turkey’s sitting there “wasting!” Oh, my, it was the worst smell I had ever encountered. When we opened that freezer, I went into immediate action! I wanted those things OUT OF MY HOUSE as fast as possible!

It was hilarious to watch people walk by, or ride their bikes near our trash cans before the garbage service had collected. The sounds and facial expressions as they passed by our trash were unbelievable. We bleached, and scrubbed, and scoured -- anything to salvage our refrigerator – but it was hopeless. On the day they came to claim it for “scrap metal,” they hoisted it up into the truck. As they did, the door came open and even the “left over aroma” gave those poor people the shock of a life-time. Evidently they were normally supposed to “open it up” on the back of their vehicle, but this was obviously a different case! “Just keep the door closed” the “boss man” exclaimed. Personally – I don’t even think that thing could have been used for scrap metal.

After I get over the laugher at the comical moments of this incident, it makes me stop and think. How’s the power source? See, in the Old Testament, it was correct offerings, according to ceremonial law that caused “sweet aroma” to go up before the Lord. Now, Christ has come as our Supreme Sacrifice. It was His love for us which came up as a sweet smell to the Father. (Eph. 5:2) Only His sacrifice can cleanse the horrible stench of sin from our lives. He is our “power source!” When we “connect with Him,” follow in His footsteps, and “give ourselves” – as Romans 12:1 says – to be a “living sacrifice,” this causes a “sweet smell” to come up before the Lord. When we “stay connected,” walk in the Spirit, and give out His love, His living through us causes an aroma that not only pleases Him, but also is a blessing to those around us. No aroma of sin in the surrendered life! Just the “sweet smelling savor” of Jesus!

Written by: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

Take it With You

“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