Signature Scent...

God has a signature scent, one that's associated with His very essence. If you spend time in His presence, you know that His love poured out on your soul heightens and affects every one of your senses. Even as a child in an Apostolic church, I remember times when worship rising from the people of God mingled with a blue-ish haze that filled the sanctuary. It was visible, tangible, audible and breathable; satisfying even the taste buds. During these times it was easy to see why the Psalmist said, "O taste and see that the Lord is good!"

In the instructions God gave for the building of the Tabernacle and the gathering of all the things that were to be used in its service, we learn the composition of the fragrance that was to be particularly His. (See Exodus 30.) Associated with burnt offerings and as a holy, anointing oil, these were special recipes - guarded and handed down from generation to generation of priests, only the sons of Aaron could prepare them. They were not to be replicated or used for any other purpose that to be a sweet fragrance to God.

Later, in the Psalms, He let us know our praise and worship is also a sweet savor. God treasures and stores these times of communion. As they fill our hearts, they rise up into His nostrils and prompt Him to pour out many rich treasures and blessings from His vast storehouse. He places great value on obedience, which to Him is more important than even a costly sacrifice. Thus, obedience becomes a vital ingredient in the aroma of wholehearted worship.

This pleasing aroma flows both ways. His presence fills the hungry heart with good things. And His heart is thrilled and leans close to enjoy the lifting of holy hands and hearts heavenward. Praise, worship, sacrifice, and willing offerings are key ingredients of the aroma that pleases the heart of God. Best activated by a close relationship with Him, the word, communion, is an accurate description of what happens when God and man are in sweet fellowship. Before he was saved, the Gentile centurion, Cornelius' steady offerings had piled up into the heavens as a memorial to a man who was seeking after God. Evidently, God couldn't resist Cornelius' hunger. Drawn like a magnet to steel, He dispatched an angel, dealt strongly with the man of God, and opened a new dispensation - all to meet Cornelius' need.

This begs three questions... 1.) What kind of fragrance pleases God? And, 2.) How is it released?

The thing that triggers the release of this fragrance into the presence of God (and others) is brokenness.

• When the circumstances of his life broke Joseph again and again, the result was not bitterness, but the realization that God was in the breaking and used it in the blessing that followed.
• When the woman broke her alabaster box of fragrance over the feet of Jesus, the aroma filled the room, speaking not only of His suffering, but of her adoration and thankful heart.
• When Jesus broke and blessed the little - five loaves and two fish - He gave it to His disciples, who distributed it (in a pattern of what would follow,) and the hunger of many was satisfied.
• And when the sinless body of Jesus was broken and freely offered, it resulted in the salvation of the world!
• Your brokenness allows the perfume of God's presence to fill your world and become a precious ointment that testifies... "O taste and see that the Lord is good... He satisfies the hungry heart... He makes broken things every whit whole..." and releases an irresistably sweet aroma.

The aroma of fresh-baked bread or a hot apple pie triggers mouth-watering images of good things nearby. No wonder God uses this analogy to illustrate both the hunger our heart and His ability to satisfy all who hunger and thirst after His righteousness. His promise is, "they shall be filled!" The question has never been can He? or even will He? The only remaining question has to do with me and you...

3.) What kind of odor does my life present to God - and to others?

• Am I like the children of Israel in the wilderness who frustrated Him with their complaints and murmurings?
• Am I like King David who knew how - and gladly worshiped God with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength?
• Have I gone after other gods and other loves, replacing the devotion I owe him for all His kindness, mercy and benefits with a not so secret wandering eye?
• Am I like Josiah, who saw his failures in the Word and turned himself and everyone around him back to God?
• Do my lips say one thing - and my heart, mind, and actions say something else entirely?
• Or am I like Daniel and his three young friends who purposed in their heart that no matter what, everything they did was going to be God's way and for His glory?

I too have a signature scent. The odor I present to God and to those around me is based on the choices I make. It's a unique recipe I put together every day I live. If I choose to please myself; my flesh, its desires and agenda, if I seek after the things of this world and its system - my recipe becomes a stench in His nostrils and to those around me.

But if I choose to please Him and to set my heart and mind on heavenly things; it brings glory to God and makes my world more aware of Him and His goodness. I become a living testimony, and a catalyst of His redemptive plan.

Either way, this "signature scent" reminds Him of what He did at Calvary! (See II Corinthians 2:15.) Disobedience crucifies Him afresh, makes His sacrifice of no effect. But if my choices are born of a willing, obedient heart - the result is:

• an odor that is pleasing to Him,
• the joy of His salvation,
• His smile of approval, and,
• an irresistable force that moves the most obstinate of obstacles!

There is coming a day and a place when and where the fragrance of His joy and ours will combine into a holy, sweet incense, a perfume that will permeate heaven's atmosphere with a communion more perfect and complete than mortal senses can even imagine. We in Him and Him in us! Praise perfected! (No wonder worship is the most heavenly of occupations.) That day will be glorious indeed. But until then - every day - we're putting together our signature scent; the fragrance by which we'll be known throughout eternity!

Note: This thought was inspired by a recent Our Daily Bread devotion.