The aroma of Christ

"Come, Lord Jesus."

Rarely do I breathe this prayer as a casual invitation - it usually comes more as a desperate plea. Rarely is it spoken while I am on my knees - it usually comes while I'm driving, or sneaking away from the crowds under the guise of doing some necessary chore, or sometimes even while I am in the midst of conversation; it has been known to come with tears.

I pray this prayer with the knowledge that Jesus is already present, already working, always in control. It is a prayer of humility, recognizing my need for him, and my strong desire to see him and feel him there.

These three words laced my thoughts and conversations at my family's Christmas celebration this year. Our traditional Christmas festivities are always fun and warm and loving (though what family get-together is completely free of some minor tension?). Nonetheless, this year more than ever, I felt a loneliness, a longing for God's presence, for Jesus to be met and known at his own birthday celebration.

"Come, Lord Jesus."

As a quick run to the store for a bottle of Worcestershire sauce (crucial to Chex Mix and shrimp dip - staples in our family) on Christmas Eve afternoon gave me a chance for some quiet away from the crowd, I was confronted with a question: I am begging Jesus to come, but how am I making his presence known?

For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:15-17

Amidst so many familiar aromas this season - pine trees, peppermint candy canes, cranberry-nut bread baking in the oven, freshly sliced ham for Christmas dinner - are my actions and words spreading the aroma of Christ? And am I speaking as a woman of sincerity?

I read a prayer later on that evening that helped my heart to turn these questions into a request for His help.

Fill our minds and our mouths, O Lord, with the truth of Christ that we may speak well of him. Forbid that we would add to the avalanche of error spoken about Christ in the world.

I prayed this prayer for not only the words of my mouth, but for what is spoken by my actions and my very life as well. May I always speak well of him, and as I do so may my life be the aroma of Christ to both the living and the dying.

"Come, Lord Jesus."

This blog was written and posted from the charming Birchwood Cafe in the Seward neighborhood in Minneapolis. Next time you're looking for a good place to eat, get coffee, write a blog, or catch up with your college roommates, you should come here.