But 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. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 

2 Corinthians 2:14-15

For the last ten days or so, Patrina and I have been out of town. We explored some new places, met up with some friends, and avoided disaster when a truck attempted to back into me while standing outside a bakery. But one encounter on our next to last day on the trip reminded me of the adventure life is intended to be and how we often settle for so much less.

While we were discussing life’s next steps, a younger man told me I had a significant impact on the way he approaches his work and is now turning his heart toward Christ – a real change for him as he was not raised in church at all. I confess, his comments were quite a surprise, but it all reminded me of how often I get caught up in the everyday, the mundane, the safe path in life.

I find the life of Paul to be inspiring because of the radical change in his life and his willingness to live a life completely focused on following Christ. Wherever he went, Paul made an impact on both individuals and cultures in the first century. While I’ve never considered it in the same terms, in the verses above, he compares his opportunity to tell others about Christ as a sweet perfume, a Christ-like fragrance.

If you’re out in public during the day, you’ll notice the fragrance of others from time to time.

This week I’m heading out for a few days of business meetings. It is my hope that others will join us on our great adventure in following Christ.