14August2015 Funky Faith

As we gingerly delve into uncharted territory, being parents of teenagers, we’ve made an unpleasant discovery.  Big boys have a different, er how do I phrase this delicately, aroma than little boys.  Now, I’m not talking about stench here.  That would be too easy you see.  Shin guards left to ferment in a bookbag for two months, in Middle Eastern heat is not what we’re focusing on here.  And, I’m staying away from the odorous metamorphosis that occurs when a bowl of hummus and a dozen falafel make their way through your man-child’s digestive tract.  Nope, not going there. 

I’d like to focus on something much more vile, repulsive even.  That’s Axe spray.  You see no matter how many days one has gone without showering, wearing those shoes without socks or how many games of pickup basketball or hours of soccer scrimmage engaged in, the pubescent male believes that applying liberal amounts of Axe on his slimy body will cover the stench.  This is the very reason we have attempted to ban this appalling substance from our home.  It’s nasty!

Of the five senses, smell may be the most underrated but boy is it powerful. One whiff can instantly take you back to a wonderful childhood memory while another can may you want to go hide under your bed.  For example, we have a neighbor that wears the most wonderful aftershave.  Each morning, when he leaves for the office, the hall, elevator and stairs smell of Clubman Pinaud, taking me straight back to the old barbershop my father used to take me to as a child.  Smell is powerful.

Our Creator is well aware of this.  Of course He is, He made us this way.  Smell plays an integral part in Scripture.  From the fragrant offerings of the tabernacle in Exodus to the sweet perfume of the knowledge of Christ we read about in 2 Corinthians.   

One particular story, found in Matt.26 John 12,  Mark 14 and Luke 7, illustrates this perfectly.  Jesus is dining in the house of a Pharisee.  While everyone’s reclining around the table, a woman, well known for her sinful life, shows up.  She heads straight for Jesus, through the crowd, breaks open an alabaster jar of perfume and begins washing the Master’s feet with her kisses and tears, anointing His head with perfume and “…the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”  I love this woman.  In spite of the judgment-filled stares, tongue clucking and SMH’s, she basically humiliated herself because of her profound gratitude to Jesus for liberating her from the bondage of sin.  Naysayers were indignant but they could not argue with the lovely scent emanating throughout the house.  Her actions smelled good!

What do my actions smell like?  Is my worship a pleasing aroma or disgusting funk?  Does the glorious odor of the Gospel of Christ draw others to saving grace or do I repel them by my callousness, lack of grace or failure to love?    O’ that my life will be a “fragrance of perfume” and a beautiful thing” in His sight.