Click here to go to the Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

When I read this part I was instantly reminded about a song by Jan de Wet, My nooi is in ’n nartjie. It’s a bit difficult to translate it into English, but essentially it’s about every woman’s smell and what it means to the poet.

Sproeireën

DJ Opperman

My nooi is in ’n nartjie,

my ouma in kaneel,

daar’s iemand …. iemand in anys,

daar’s ’n vrou in elke geur!

As ek ’n stukkie nartjieskil

tussen my vingers buig of knak,

breek uit die klein sproeireën

wat geurend om my hand uitsak,

die boorde weer van Swartfoloos

en met die nartjies om my heen

weet ek hoe dat ’n vrou kan troos.

O my nooi is in ’n nartjie

my ouma in kaneel,

daar’s iemand …… iemand in anys,

daar’s ’n vrou in elke geur!

Uit: Engel uit die klip

Video: http://youtu.be/R24xaPvTENs

Every person has his or her own fragrance – some positive, others less so.

Paul uses the fragrance spread by people in the context of the fragrance that we as Christians carry with us. It’s not going well in the world out there. Actually, it stinks of hardship, lack of love and suffering – here I can include all the negative and bitter words in the dictionary one after the other.

15Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. 16Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life.

We are the carriers of pleasant smells in the world. People must be attracted to us like bees to flowers. The pleasant smell of the Gospel being spread must attract lonely and suffering people to us. Do you know that the people out there are jealous of the wonderful smell of liberation and freedom, without baggage? They long for what we as Christians have, even though it seems as if they despise us and are totally satisfied with their lives. That is just appearance. They are in a stinking place and in private they would be so happy to have just a little bit of the love fragrances of Christ our Saviour.

We don’t always realise that spreading this pleasant fragrance to the world is not optional for the children of God. 17This is a terrific responsibility. It is a command. It is a responsibility and maybe that is why it doesn’t smell that good in the world out there – because we do not fulfil our responsibilities. If each of us could make a difference right where we are, open our eyes and see where people need Jesus’ lovely aroma, the world will look different. It will smell different.

Reflection

What does the world around you smell like?

Where is Jesus’ pleasant fragrance needed?

What can you do?

Prayer

Father, I realise I have an enormous responsibility to make a difference right where I am. I realise that You have to spread your fragrance there where I work, live and play. But I feel so unequipped to carry out this task. Please help me, guide me, make me sensitive to releasing your fragrance in the world. Amen