Heaven Scent

Years ago, my wife and I were praying for a homeless woman we had befriended over the years. Because of her drug addiction, all six of her children had been taken from her and put in foster care. As we prayed, God began delivering her from evil spirits. Suddenly, all three of us could smell an unpleasant odor as the foul spirits left her body. Jesus was truly loving the hell out of this precious woman. Yes. Hell has a smell, and it ain’t pretty.

I once asked a group of middle schoolers to write me a note asking anything on their heart. I’ll never forget one of the questions. The note simply said, “Life stinks! Why?”

I repeat. Hell has a smell, and it ain’t pretty. It stinks! The good news is heaven too has a smell, and when it’s fragrance is released, it overpowers the stench of hell. Paul writes, “To those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.” 2 Corinthians 2:16

Have you ever hugged someone wearing perfume and you notice their scent lingering on you? The longer you hug them, the more you go away smelling like them. Well, that’s true with God also. As we draw close to Jesus in prayer and worship, He gives us a holy hug. The more time we spend in His presence, the more His heavenly fragrance lingers on us. Then as God sends us out into this corrupt world to lovingly embrace others, His aroma draws them to Him. When they decide to receive Jesus, they too receive His sweet fragrance and begin smelling like a rose. The rose of Sharon!

That’s what I call heaven scent!

Jesus, we want to smell like You! Hold us in Your arms until Your beautiful fragrance rubs off on us! Then send us out into the world to rub off on those whose live’s stink.

“But thank God!…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.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬