A Daily Dose of Good News
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Pastor Steve’s devotion is offered at https://youtu.be/F1-he9jQWvc
A printer-friendly version of this devotion is available at DDGN 2021211
You can dialog about this devotion at steve.wachtman@engagedbygrace.org
When I came to Troas to proclaim the good news of Christ, a door was opened for me in the Lord; but my mind could not rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said farewell to them and went on to Macedonia.
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the 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 peddlers of God’s word like so many; but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in his presence. (2 Corinthians 2:12-17)
Aroma of Christ
At an internship retreat with Vicar Sara earlier this week,
The first presenter led the group in morning devotions
That included a medication which made a point
That still lingers with me today
about the sense of smell.
The pastor built the point along an appreciation for incense in worship
With all of the caveats about how uncomfortable such incense can be
For people with allergies or other sensitivities to smell.
Evenso, he offered an alternative understanding for the purpose of incense in worship
From the one I generally;
Namely, let my prayer rise before you as incense,
With gentle streams of smoke caring prayers upward to heaven.
His point on Monday though was different.
He was saying that among the five different senses
The sense of smell is the only we can’t really turn off or adjust during worship.
When it comes to our eyes,
We can look away from the worship action
Or close them altogether.
When it comes to our ears,
And can tune out at worship at anytime.
When it comes to touch,
We can fidget in our seats or turn away completely
When it comes to taste
Well we’re only asked to taste
When it comes time for communion.
When comes to our sense of smell though
When someone starts waving a thurible of incense through the room
It permeates the air and penetrates the nostil
Such that there is no chance to redirect it, turn it off or otherwise ignore it …
Any more than you can the presence of God’s Spirit among the faithful.
Friends, the good news message I’d like to suggest today
Is the presence of God that permeates and penetrates your life yet again today
Such that you cannot redirect it, turn it off or otherwise ignore it.
Maybe light a scented candle if not incense itself
As a sensory reminder of God’s presence all around and within you…
Enveloping your whole existence
Your joys and sorrows
Concerns and celebrations
Hope and fears.
Enveloping your whole existence
With a compassion and grace that will not be denied.
Breath it in! Amen
