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Surfing the Internet, I came across a story about someone's experiences as a visitor in a small village in Dover, England.

“Sitting outside a café one afternoon enjoying a cup of tea, she became aware of a beautiful scent. Rita asked a waiter where it was coming from and was told it was the people she could see passing by. Most of the villagers were employed at a nearby perfume factory. As they walked home, they carried the fragrance that permeated their clothes out into the street.”

What a beautiful image of the Christian life. The story gave flesh and blood to Paul’s words: But thank God! He . . . uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Believers are the aroma of Christ, spreading His fragrance everywhere. Paul uses the image of a king returning from battle—his soldiers and captives in tow—wafting the smell of celebratory incense in the air while declaring the king’s greatness.

We spread the aroma of Christ in two ways: through our words—by telling others about the One who is beautiful and loving—and through our lives—by doing deeds of Christlike sacrifice (Ephesians. 5:1-2). While not everyone will appreciate our divine fragrance, it brings life to many.

Rita, the main character in the story, caught a scent and was driven to seek its source. As we follow Jesus, we too become permeated with His fragrance and then carry His aroma to the streets through our words and deeds.

Ask God to make you a carrier and communicator of His beauty to the people in your home, office, and neighborhood.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)