“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us, spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.”
2 Corinthians 2:14 (RSV)
This scripture says a lot with very few words. God wants to spread the fragrance of His Son to the whole world, through those who believe in Him. Spreading the fragrance of Christ, at first, sounds like an overwhelming mission, as if we are responsible to persuade everyone to turn to Him. Our part in fact, is small, in spreading His fragrance, because the Holy Spirit does most of the work.
A simple way to think about it, is that any time we express kindness or lend a listening ear to someone, we are spreading the fragrance of Christ, but a very simple way is to show gratitude to others. Just thanking someone with words of gratitude, spreads His fragrance.
Jesus talked about gratitude when the ten lepers were healed by Him, but only one returned to thank Him. There’s no doubt that God desires our gratitude, and since we are made in His image, we naturally desire gratitude as well. Receiving words of gratitude lifts our spirit and makes us feel appreciated by God as well as by people.
The beauty of gratitude is that it’s not about telling people what they should or shouldn’t do. Gratitude has no interest in telling others how to live. It’s just about thanking them for who they are. We are psychologically pre-wired by God to thrive on encouraging words of gratitude from others. It’s what keeps the fragrance of Christ’s love flowing.
When we think of anyone who once left a positive impression on us, they are usually people who are filled with an attitude of gratitude. They have a thankful spirit, which emanates the fragrance of Christ to all around them. There is an old saying, “Out of 100 men, one might read a Bible, but the other 99 will read a Christian.”
Most people we meet are reading us instead of a bible. I need to remind myself every day that the people in my life are there for a reason. Our next door neighbors, church friends, family, coworkers, and loved ones may only be in our lives for a certain amount of time. Some people are very challenging to be around, but we can still find something in each person, to be grateful for.
Some people have lived their lifetime never feeling good enough, but when they receive words of gratitude, their self worth is boosted. It’s especially true among Nursing home residents. I visit Jon’s Nursing home three days a week, and see many people who feel forgotten and of no value to God, much less anyone else.
There is a certain lady who never receives visits from family or friends, but is always selflessly caring for her roommate of many years. I often remark on how kind and caring she is to her roommate, and I know that my gratitude adds a bit of dignity to her soul.
If I ever had any regrets after being the primary caregiver for my late husband, it would be for being so busy, that I didn’t express enough words of gratitude to him during those trying days. Gratitude gives the recipient a fresh awareness of their worth and value to God.
Gratitude can even send an aroma of Christ to people who have argumentative personalities. The wisest answers can fail, but words of gratitude can soften any heart. Gratitude leads lost lambs back into the arms of their Shepherd and reminds the older sheep that they are still seen and loved.
Lord, thank you for showing us the many ways to spread your fragrance to those around us. Use our words of gratitude to gather your lambs closer to you. Amen
