Recently, during some travel, I stepped inside an airport terminal and the pungent aroma of raw onions assailed my nostrils. It was so pervasive and strong that I wondered if was a nearby restaurant chopping up bucketfuls of onions, or if it was a result of body odor from the masses of surrounding people as we stood in the long security lines. Either way, the smell was not pleasant.
In fact, during that trip, there were a few times where some unwelcome odors altered the atmosphere. Like the woman who rode on the 2-hour shuttle with her poor dog who was literally covered in poop. Or the man on the plane who smelled like he hadn’t showered in weeks.
As my olfactory senses were in overdrive, it got me thinking about my own stinkiness. And I don’t mean my sweaty stench after a workout, but my spiritual smell.
Let me clarify. When the woman with the poo-covered doggie stepped onto the shuttle, the atmosphere changed. Instead of reading my book in peace, I had to bury my nose in my sweater to avoid the foul air. How did the woman not smell her dog hours ago? How could she not know how bad the smell was?
That’s exactly my point.
If I have a crappy attitude or I’m being judgmental then I’m releasing an odor around me that’s not reflective of the love of God. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God (2 Cor 2:15a). How is my life changing the atmosphere? When I step into the room do those around me feel the presence of God? Do they sense His love and acceptance?
What do you think about this? Let me know in the comments below.
