Makeover Takeover: Sweet Perfume

Thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.

2 Corinthians 2:14

Last but not least in our makeover takeover is sweet perfume. We all want to smell good, and we associate certain scents with memorable experiences, much like we do with food. In fact, one Sunday at church, our pastor Steve started his sermon something like this: “I love food! Food is very important to me, and the reason I know it is important to me is because I can remember certain meals.” I was thinking, I love smells—good ones—and I know fragrances are important because I associate certain fragrances with sweet experiences.

As a child, when I would visit Aunt Doris and Uncle Eddie in Hickory, North Carolina, I would anticipate going into their powder room because Aunt Doris redecorated it every year. She changed the color scheme, coordinating the towels and candles with the wall color. What I remember most is that it always smelled so good. It was the scent of Dove soap. To this day, every time I smell her brand of soap, I recall special memories.

Fragrances are important to us, and they are to God, too. Perfumes should not be so overpowering that they give people headaches; when properly used, they gently invite others toward the source.

God actually uses us to spread the knowledge of Him everywhere as a sweet perfume. We are to have a Christlike fragrance (2 Corinthians 2:15) that invites others to the Source of our joy, peace, hope, acceptance, truth, grace, and love. Whenever we dab on perfume, let’s remember that our lives can disperse the love of Christ into this world that craves His freshness.

We always smell beautiful to God in Christ, so let’s spread His fragrance to others who need His sweet love! Spray lightly (don't splash) your favorite scent on a small piece of paper and put it in your car or in your desk drawer as a reminder to smell sweetly of Christ.