As I sit here writing I am recuperating from a mild case of COVID. Throughout my illness, I tried to figure out how did I get sick. Did I walk by someone? Did someone cough, sneeze, breathe on me? The reality is that I don’t have a definitive point of infection. Which started me thinking about how we, as believers, have great influence and can have a major impact on others, and yet, many times are completely unaware of our effect on those around us.
Before I became a believer, I remember my company sending me to a remote destination where we arrived by a private plane. No one had warned me but, the facility where I would be working was in the mountains, just a lodge with a few rooms where no tv, bar, or restaurant was available. All my meals were taken at different family’s homes, which was really weird to me! But, one thing I noticed as I went from home to home was the joy. The people were missionaries who had very little in tangible goods but, oh how they were dripping in joy! As I traipsed around with my nice clothes, shoes and jewelry I felt jealousy towards them. They never talked to me of the life apart from God that I had but, they infected me with a desire to have what they had. The joy they exuded was the fragrance that drew me to desire what they had. In 2 Corinthians 2:15 it says, “For we are a fragrance of Messiah to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”
There are many ways to be a fragrance of Messiah so others may know God. Here are just a few ways:
- Love- Love the people around you. People are so very desperate to be really accepted, loved and included. Most people don’t really have someone who is a real trusted friend. Be the person who loves them without condemnation. Show them the love that God has shown you! John 15:13 speaks about this love perfectly, “Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.”
- Pray- Pray for those God has brought near to you in relationships and also pray for “divine appointments”. Ask God to bring to you those who are seeking Him and desiring Him. Be sensitive and attentive to the Holy Spirit, because when you pray, God will bring you these precious people. Colossians 4:2, 5-6 says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”
- Live- Don’t just talk about God but, live your life with God in the midst of it. Make choices that are honorable and ethical. Even though it might be difficult be a person who is honest, patient, kind and thoughtful. In Matthew 5:16 it says, “Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
As you go through your daily life, think of these three things that you can do to help those who are looking for Messiah. There are many that are walking around lost and sick. May we have a heart to be the fragrance that leads them to Messiah.