It snowed on Easter and understandably this makes New Yorkers grumpy. The other day when I was working on writing a sermon, I had such a delightful sunny perch. The barista named Carlie is a chalk artist putting this "note" to winter on the blackboard. She also picked that great "the earth speaks in flowers" mug from which I enjoyed my coffee. I felt a bit like a cat sunning myself in the window.
Flowers bring a delightful aroma. The wind is like a bouquet bringing the sweetness of daffodils, hyacinth, tulips and flowering lilac shrubs into our nostrils and our experience. During these weeks of winter and spring arm wrestling, I'm struck not only with severe seasonal allergies, but also by the "full strength" of how spring comes in other places than here. The crocus flowers are often snowed on several times before spring truly arrives in western New York.
Considering the different ways that spring comes depending on where you live strikes me as a great comparison with how God is revealed to us in our lives. It is not surprising that for some people there has always been a subtle awareness that there is a God who loves and cares personally for them. There are many others with whom I have conversed who give testimony to God showing up in an explosive pop similar to spring blossoms. This is also not surprising.
Regardless of these varying experiences of God, when we finally come to "know" God in a personal way there is something is unmistakable about it. The fragrance, aroma, smell or whatever you want to call it finally makes its way into every fiber of our being and we are changed by it. The wrestling is over. We are each and all created by God. We are each and all created for a walking and talking interactive life with God.
It is not surprising that God uses us, feeble and weak and imperfect as we are, to reveal the truth to others. In 2 Corinthians 2, one man who was also an imperfect follower of Jesus, Paul, put it like this: "Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation....This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on? We stand in Christ's presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can...we always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body" (the Message, paraphrase, 2 Corinthians 14ff and 2 Corinthians 4:10).
Is your life speaking the truth to others? Does it have an aroma of authenticity? Does it bring God's perfume of grace, mercy, and love? If you know that you currently do not show this, would you like it to and if so, what is God's invitation in this.
Assignment: take a walk outside somewhere near or in a bed of blooming flowers and talk to God about the fragrance of your life.
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