Ever stepped into a scented hotel room, a flower garden, or a wedding filled with fresh roses and scented candles? How beautifully refreshing it can be! This step out of the turbid hustle and bustle of everyday life into the tranquil, gentle embrace of a fragrant atmosphere is a much-needed experience that creates indelible memories.
Imagine if all of life could be this fragrant and memorable! That was God’s original design. The Garden of Eden was meant to reflect this. God’s love provided the fragrant ambience. Even after man broke the hedge and had to be necessarily and deservedly sent out of the garden to prevent him from becoming irredeemable, God, out of love, still covered his nakedness with coats of skin (Gen. 3:21–22). This eventually culminated in Christ’s sacrificial death for our redemption—and that was the depth of love!
Today, God’s love is shed abroad in our hearts by His Spirit (Rom. 5:5), and we are expected to spread the fragrance of His knowledge everywhere (2 Cor. 2:14). This is how people know that we are God’s children: when we radiate the aroma of His love everywhere and to everyone around us (John 13:35).
Collectively, we can create that refreshing ambience by being intentional about showing love to those around us, just as God has shown love to us. Reach out to someone today. Pray for someone in need. Visit and encourage the discouraged and hurting. Forgive those against whom you hold grudges. Buy a surprise gift for a friend or relative. Support a family or the less privileged around you. The list goes on.
From the simplest acts of kindness to the costlier steps of sacrifice, God is counting on you to dispense the fragrance of His love and contribute to making the world a more beautiful place.
Ready to experience boundless love?
Dive into God’s avalanche of love right now as you yield your life to Him in total surrender:
Heavenly Father, I come to You today and receive Your gift of love for me. I invite Jesus into my heart as my Lord and Savior, and I receive grace to manifest this love everywhere I go henceforth. Thank You for the fragrance of Your love. Amen.
The Lifeline 