Pleasing Aroma

"It is a burnt offering,

a food offering,

an aroma pleasing to the LORD."

Leviticus 1:17b

I was so thrilled that I had finally found a young person who took my instructions seriously.  As I was walking my teenage neighbor through the list of directions for taking care of our four cats, two dogs, plants and house while we were gone on vacation, she whipped out a pen and began to take notes.  She asked questions to clarify my intention and made sure that she completely understood what I expected of her.  I felt so relieved to know this young lady was serious about the job for which I was paying her.  I honestly knew I would not worry about a thing while I was out of town with my family.

While it may have been a huge relief to find a conscientious caretaker, that is nothing compared to the expectations God has for me.  If my house-sitter missed a few details, a plant may die or a cat could get locked in room when the door unintentionally closes.   If I don't take God's Word seriously, there are more long-term consequences.  

Living my life in a lukewarm state where I go through the motions of doing what I feel comfortable doing while leaving out that which is unpleasant leads to a life that is less than what God intended. (John 10:10)  Even more worrisome is the fact that I can never please God unless I follow His instructions to the "T."  In fact, taking His Word seriously gives off an aroma that is pleasing to Him.

Loving God

"I love Jesus!  My love for Him is so great that I want to shout it from the rooftops!  I want everyone to know!"  I sat on my bed in our apartment in Germany, listening to my little sister on the other end of the phone gush about her love for Jesus.  We had both accepted Jesus as our Savior some 15 years earlier, but I had never experienced what she described.  I began to question my own faith, wondering if it was real since I had never felt what my sister was so eagerly describing.  It seemed something was lacking in my own life.

As the years passed by, I began to study the Bible. Instead of reading God's Word as a way to fulfill a requirement, I began searching for the answers to my questions.  Who was this God I claimed to follow?  What did He expect from me?  What could I expect of Him?  What is with this love my sister had so eagerly proclaimed yet I had never sensed?

As I sought the Lord, I found Him. (Jeremiah 29:13) The love I had long been missing began to grow in my heart.  Suddenly, the entertainment I had easily embraced for so many years became offensive to my eyes.  The words I sometimes let loose tasted bitter in my mouth.  The company I kept turned from pleasant to empty. The music I used to find joy in now seemed meaningless. Jesus became my passion.  Apart from Him, nothing made sense.

God is a jealous God.  He is not jealous of me.  Instead, He is jealous for my time and attention.  He made me so that I could be devoted to Him and Him alone.  (Exodus 34:14, 2 Corinthians 11:2-3)  When I want to know Him more and more each day, I am fulfilling His purpose for my life.  As easy as it is to make it my life's aim to please the people who are important to me or to satisfy my own desires, God's heart is the one in whom He truly wants me to delight. 

Loving God above all other pursuits gives off an aroma that is pleasing to the Lord.

Loving Others

My own needs are about what I am mainly concerned.  I tend to be suspicious of other's motivation.  Many times, it is easy for me to do things for others only when I know it will somehow bring me a benefit.  My heart is selfish to the core.  

As I come into contact with Christ, putting myself into His hands, I find a transformation taking place. (Philippians 2:13, Romans 12:2)  The needs of others start to become more important than my own.  (Philippians 2:3-4)  

I also find that I want to believe the best in every person, hoping when it seems there is nothing upon which to base that optimistic expectation.  (1 Corinthians 13:7)  

Those who surround me with hurt and seek to destroy my reputation become the object of a kindness I never before knew as God's mercy wells up inside of me, propelling me into a mission of giving without expecting anything in return. (Luke 6:35)

As I grow closer to the Lord, I find a change taking place in my heart.  His love, mercy and grace flow freely, benefiting not just me and my life, but overflowing into the lives of those around me.  I cannot love my neighbor as myself out of sheer effort and by an act of my will any more than a lion can lay down with a lamb without incident.  Instead, I find that the only way I can love others is to accept the great love God has for me.  (1 John 4:7-8) 

Letting God's love pour out into the lives of others gives off an aroma that is pleasing to the Lord.

Willing Vessel

Approximately 215 million people in over 185 countries have heard him preach the gospel in person, while countless more have listened over television, video, film and webcasts.  No other preacher has reached more of the world's lost for Christ.  How was Billy Graham able to accomplish such a feat?  Was it his charisma?  His masterful speaking skills?  His educational background?  His dedicated team of workers?  None of the above.

The reason Billy Graham was able to do what no man has ever done before was because he was willing to be used by God.  At a young age, he gave his life to Christ.  Even more, though, Billy was willing to let God mold him and shape him in order to fulfill the purpose God had for his life.  (Isaiah 64:8)

God has a great purpose for each of our lives.  He desires that I step into that plan, allowing Him to use me as He sees fit.  Most of the time, however, my own fears, doubts and insecurities block His efforts.  The Lord is not a bully, forcing me to fit into the mold He has created for my life.  Instead, He waits for me to willingly submit myself into His hands, allowing Him to form me and use me.  

To reach this point, I must understand the futility of my own efforts, the depth of my sin and the deep need I have for salvation.  (Psalm 51:17)  As I humble myself in this way, He will lift me up, giving me the life of significance which He prepared in advance for me.  (James 4:10, Ephesians 2:10)  There must be less of me in order for more of Him to shine through.

Making myself a willing vessel to be used by God gives off an aroma that is pleasing to Him.

When I follow God's instructions to the "T,"  I give God great pleasure.  He has made it clear that loving Him, loving others, and trusting Him enough to place my life in His hands are some of His most important teachings.  When I take His Word seriously, I give off an aroma that is pleasing to Him.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can show His love to others instead of hording it all for myself.

When am I least willing to let God shape me?

How do I fail to love God?

#loving God, #loving others, # willing vessel, #Billy Graham

Live Good Lives

"Dear friends, I urge you,

as foreigners and exiles,

to abstain from sinful desires,

which wage war against your soul.

Live such good lives among the pagans that,

though they accuse you of doing wrong,

they may see your good deeds

and glorify God on the day he visits us."

1 Peter 2:9-10

My husband served 24 years in the U.S. Army.  As a result, our family lived in many different places around the world.  One of the most enjoyable locations was Frankfurt, Germany.  When we first arrived in country, we went through some training that taught us how to be good guests while living there.  We were encouraged to set a good example in our behavior by following the local laws, reflecting well upon our beloved country by respectfully interacting with the locals, and to take on humble attitudes so as not to come across as ugly Americans.  We were ambassadors of a sort in a foreign land.

In the same way, I, as a follower of Christ, am a foreigner living in a land that is not my own.  It is therefore important how I live.  It is not enough simply to accept Christ as my Savior, but to make Him Lord of my life as well, so that He will influence every part of my life.  In this way, I will look different than those in my host country and will somehow make an impression on those who are watching.

Enter the Battle

Many great men have been taken down by sin, even if it was just for a time: Abraham, Moses, David and his son Solomon, Elijah, Hezekiah and Jonah to name a few.  Each were carried away by their own desires, giving in to fear, anger, lust or pride. (James 1:14) Whatever the source of temptation, each experienced some kind of devastation as their sin took them away from God and His plan for their lives.

There is no doubt that there is a battle between what I want to do in pleasing God and where my heart is leading me.  (Romans 7:14, Jeremiah 17:9)  My natural tendency runs counter to the teachings of God and the leading of His Spirit.  (Galatians 5:16-17)  If I want to please God in the way I live my life, I must enter into the battle against sin, not simply give into my fleshly desires.

In order to be victorious, however, I must surrender control of my life.  Instead of fighting to get what I want, I must let go of any right, sense of entitlement, or desire that rears up within me, and instead humble myself before Him.  As I make Him the most important thing in my life, He will change the desires of my heart so that they align more closely with His.  (Psalm 37:4-5)  In this way, He will be happy to grant my wishes because they will be the same as His.

Instead of doing what comes naturally and looking like the rest of the world, I will please God when I take a stand against my sinful ways, resisting the urge to give in to what feels good.  Then, no matter how much dirt people try to find, they will only discover that which honors God.  

When I make Jesus Lord of my life, I enter into the battle against my sinful nature and find victory in the blood of Jesus.

Represent Christ

It is hard to find a man in this day and age who is in the limelight yet has never fallen to scandal. One that comes to mind is Billy Graham.  As an evangelist who has dedicated his life to the spreading of the gospel, he has never, to my knowledge, fallen victim to malicious attacks.  I'm sure some have dried to dig up something negative about the man, but never a nugget could be unearthed.  Mr. Graham has lived as one who understands how much his life reflects upon Christ.  

As one who also has dedicated her life to Jesus, I must be equally as aware of how my legacy reflects upon my Lord and Savior.  Many times, though, I am more focused on getting my way, defending my rights, or looking to fill my needs.  If I am the only witness to Jesus some will see, what kind of message am I sending?

It is my desire to choose good things, even when the bad things feel better.  It is my desire to choose right things even when it's easier to do wrong.  It is my desire to choose that which glorifies God even when it makes me look stupid.

When I make Jesus Lord of my life, I become a representative of Christ wherever I go.

Live as a Servant

She anticipated my needs; offering a towel before I knew I needed one, refilling my drink before I ran dry, and making the waffles just the way I like them.  My niece is a good example of one who possesses a servant's heart.

While I might not be as hospitable of a host as this bride, I can seek to possess the heart of a servant in my daily life.  Instead of picking and choosing who I respect according to how they treat me, I can honor each person as one who has been created in the image of God.

While I find it easy to love those who are good to me, I can instead seek to show mercy and compassion to everyone, even those who seem to hate me.  Sometimes I let God fall to a place in my life that is less than honorable, putting people or stuff in His place.  As a substitute, I can seek to keep Him in the highest position as I revere Him as Lord.

When I make Jesus Lord of my life, I become less and He becomes more.

Accepting Jesus as my Savior results in eternal life, but there is more.  If I really want to grow closer to Him and please Him fully, I must make Him Lord of everything.  I can do this by entering into the battle against sin instead of letting it rule my life, by keeping in mind that I represent Christ to a fallen world wherever I go, and by living as a servant who wants nothing more than to please her master.  In this way I will be living a good life that will bring glory to God.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can see how much I hurt God when I continue to give into my sinful ways.

When do I forget others are watching me and simply do things as I always have?

How am I expecting to be served instead of being the servant?

Dangling Fruit

"(Jesus) also said, 'This is what the kingdom of God is like.

 A man scatters seed on the ground. 

Night and day,

whether he sleeps or gets up,

the seed sprouts and grows,

though he does not know how. 

All by itself the soil produces grain—

first the stalk,

then the head,

then the full kernel in the head. 

As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it,

because the harvest has come.'”

Mark 4:26-29

Carefully, I prepared the soil, working it with my hoe, incorporating the rich compost into the clay and sand.  Soon the earth became fine and loamy, ready to receive the seed.  As I dropped the seeds into the ground, carefully patting down the soil, I think of all the possible scenarios for each seed.  A bird could pluck it from the garden as a necessary morsel of nourishment, or it could be shielded from the needed amount of water, thus preventing the sprouting process, or it could push through the soil bed and grow into a fruit-giving plant.

The growth of a seed is a mystery.  No man can replicate the process, or force the progression of the procedure.  It happens all as a result of God's sovereign work, in His time and by His hand.  There is nothing I can do to speed it along, and I marvel at the miracle of a tiny seed turning into a meandering vine of watermelon, or a looming stalk of corn. 

The transformation of an ordinary soul into an extraordinary recipient of eternal life through simple faith in Christ as their Savior is a parallel mystery.  It is not accomplished through the labor of any man, but as a result of God's sovereign work, in His time and by His hand.

This truth should shape the way I approach non-believers.  It is of no work of my own that another come to Christ.  Consequently, my role as a farmer for God's Kingdom is limited. 

Scatter Seed 

During the growing season, a farmer's primary job is to plant the seeds.  He makes sure the conditions of the soil are favorable for growth, then scatters the kernels.  After that, his only responsibility is to maintain moisture levels and monitor weed growth. 

Likewise, I am free to lovingly share the truth with those God has placed around me, thus planting the seed.  I am not responsible for how the message is received any more than a farmer can prevent a bird from swiping the seed from the ground or ensure that every single seed will receive enough water and sprout.  Only God can change a heart and I must leave the mystery of growth in His hands. 

As a follower of Christ, I am called to scatter the seed of the gospel.

Harvest

The next busy time for a farmer is during the harvest when all the fruits of the plants that have grown throughout the season are gathered. 

I have heard it said that harvest time is simply a matter of plucking dangling fruit.  God has already accomplished the work of preparing the heart, growing the seed of the gospel in that heart, showing each one their sin and thus illuminating their need for Jesus.  All that is left for the worker to do is reap the harvest. 

CS Lewis, one of the great Christian intellectuals and writers of our time, spent his young adult years as an atheist.  But God was drawing Him to Himself through his readings and several friends who planted the seed of the gospel.  On a bus ride soon thereafter, he said he entered the bus as an atheist, and disembarked as a believer in the existence of God. God was working on his heart. 

In a series of steps, CS Lewis then was drawn irresistibly to Christ.  He finally relented and called on Christ as His Lord and Savior on September 22, 1931.  Through no work of his own or any man, he was courted by a God who loved him and had created him for relationship with Himself. 

For a man or woman who has been wooed by God, it is a simple task to carry out the final step of plucking the dangling fruit.

As a follower of Christ, I am called to be available to guide those God has cultivated into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Production

A farmer plays no role in the actual formation of an ear of corn, or a tomato, or a watermelon.  He can only hope and pray.  

It is the same with those around us who are chosen to belong to Jesus.  Either God is working in their heart, or He has hardened their heart.  I can do nothing to force the seed of the Good News of Jesus to grow and produce fruit.  It can only happen as a result of God's mysterious work in their heart.  

Thinking about my own conversion, I sensed a definite attraction to God from an early age.  When later presented with the Gospel at a Billy Graham Crusade, I could not stop myself from going forward, as if propelled by an unseen force.  I was drawn like the psalmist described in Psalm 42:1-2.  "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.   When can I go and meet with God?"

When I heard how to meet God, through faith in Jesus Christ, I eagerly made my way to the spring of living water, drinking from it's goodness.

As a follower of Christ, it is not my responsibility to draw people to Christ.  That is  a part of God's inexplicable work.

The mystery of the transformation of a seed into a beautiful flower or fruitful plant is one of life's greatest unknowns.  But even Tagore, a gifted Indian poet and recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature understood what a mystery we witness. 

"No, it is not yours to open buds into blossom. . .

He who can open the bud does it so simply. . .

At His breath the flower spreads its wings and flutters in the wind. 

Colors flash out like a heart longing,

the perfume betrays a sweet secret. 

He who can open the bud does it so simply."

God opens the bud of understanding and faith.  We simply scatter the seed and harvest the fruit.  God does the rest.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will let God do His work in the hearts of those around me, watching for the dangling fruit to ripen.

How do I try to force fruit to form, thus denying the sovereign work of God in drawing someone to Himself?

How will this truth change the way I approach others for Christ?  Does it relieve the pressure I have placed upon myself to win people to Christ?