I don’t know about you but I love the smell of lavender. Every night I open my bottle of essential oil and inhale deeply. It calms me and helps me to relax. I occasionally rub it into my sore neck muscles and let it work its magic. Unfortunately, my little lavender plant in our back yard has not done too well this year and I miss it. When in bloom, I enjoy picking a few stems and then breathe in that wonderful scent. But if you want to get the most out of those delicate, tiny blooms, squeeze them between your fingers. It is when they are crushed that their fragrance becomes strongest….and more lovely.
When I think of a lovely fragrance or sweet aroma, it reminds me of 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 which tells us:
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”
When we have a close relationship with Christ, our lives are a fragrance that is pleasing to God first, then to the world. We are a fragrance that attracts other people to Him (or repels them if they are rebelling against God). The more time we spend in the presence of Christ, the more it (the fragrance) is noticeable to others.
I know many who are feeling crushed by the storms in their lives right now. So many have lost loved ones, are battling diseases and illnesses, or wearing the weight of all that’s going on in our world on their shoulders. If you are feeling crushed by your circumstances right now, please press into the Savior. He is producing in you a beautiful fragrance. That beautiful aroma ascends to the Father, and also pours out from you so others may be drawn to Christ through you.
The past couple weeks have been a bit difficult here as well. The pain and fatigue of Fibromyalgia have decided to park here awhile and be my constant companions. It does get draining…and discouraging…especially when it doesn’t let up, and I’m unable to accomplish…or write…much of anything. But I was very encouraged a few days ago….by some scripture notes, and a leaky bottle of lavender.
This particular day I needed to go out for my weekly chiropractor appointment and a couple of errands. I was tired, generally not feeling well, and simply didn’t want to go out. As I was trying to get ready a box was delivered. It was an order from a company I have ordered from for years. In this box of several items was a bottle of lavender essential oil. As I was unpacking the box, all was well until I began to open the snuggly wrapped bottle of lavender. As I snipped and tore the tightly secured bubble wrap away…the strong scent of lavender filled the room. The lid had somehow come loose in the wrappings and the bottle had leaked and filled its tightly wound cocoon with the oil.
I set the bottle on the plastic and left it on the counter, thinking I’d just deal with it later. I took care of the rest and continued to get ready to leave. Every time I passed by…the wonderful scent would hit my nose and I would just smile and inhale deeply. I could feel myself relax. That’s when it occurred to me; Just as we are the fragrance of Christ, a sweet aroma…so is His Presence with us.
I had read something a few days earlier that just spoke to my heart. Psalm 34:7 says:
“The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.”
I have read that verse many times and it has been a comfort. But what struck me so was the study note in my new Bible. It reads:
“The phrase the angel of the LORD and the name of God are often interchanged. With the sense of God surrounding or hovering over the believer in this manner, there is no need to fear — even in the most desperate times.” (From The NKJV Study Bible, copyright 1997, 2007, 2014 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Used by permission.)
I absolutely love that thought! No matter where I am, or how I am feeling, the very Presence of God is surrounding, and hovering over me. If you are a child of God, He is hovering over and surrounding you as well. His Presence is not a feeling or something we can conjure up. We just need to invite Him into our day, be still and notice.
So dear friend, what ever you may be going through right now, know that He is near. He is right there with you. Breathe in the fragrance of His Presence like the lovely scent of that leaky bottle of lavender and relax. Rest in Him. Let His all encompassing Presence calm your fears and anxiety. He. Is. With. You.
Thank you for stopping by. You are an encouragement to me.
Love,
Debbie
Gazing Toward the Son 