What is the atmosphere like in your home? Is it filled with bickering, arguments, criticisms, and complaining? Or is it filled with the sweet presence of Christ? God wants us to live in an atmosphere of His sweet presence, just as He wanted His priests to live in the aroma of a sweet anointing in the tabernacle all through the day and night. The recipe for the incense in the holy place was to be made of sweet spices that were to be tempered until they were pure and holy (Exodus 30:34-38).
2 Corinthians 2:14 (WEB) says that Christ "reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place." Did you notice that it says: "IN EVERY PLACE"? That means in your home. That means in your kitchen. That means when the baby is crying, the toddler is having a fit, the pots are boiling over on the stove, and your husband is demanding your attention!
It doesn't matter what is happening in your life, Christ lives in you and His attitude is SWEET! Therefore, when you yield to His Spirit, you will be sweet! You can't do it in your own strength, but only as you acknowledge His sweet presence in you.
I love J. B. Phillips' translation: "Thanks be unto God who leads us, wherever we are, on his own triumphant way and makes our knowledge of him spread through the world like a lovely perfume! We Christians have the unmistakable 'scent' of Christ."
Unmistakable! Wow! Do your children smell the sweet perfume of Christ on you? Do people instantly recognize Christ's scent when they are with you? Can they notice it about me? That’s a challenge to us, isn’t it?
Fill your home with sweetness today,
Nancy Campbell
Painting: “Baby's Bath Time” by Arthur John Elsley (British, 1861-1952).