Let’s Do a Sniff Test
I was on a walk recently and one of our local garbage hauling trucks approached on the other side of the street. I noted immediately that this particular truck was unusually clean and shiny, which seemed pretty nice for a garbage truck. The truck approached and passed me without incident, but OH MY! The stench it left behind nearly knocked me over! I picked up my walking pace to escape the lingering unpleasantness. Wouldn’t you know it, though, that I met the same truck two more times before I got home. I was prepared the other two times and held my breath while it passed. Sometimes appearances are nothing more than just that–an appearance. And they reflect nothing of the contents. That bright sparkling truck contained nothing but a collection of gross, smelly refuse (and a very hard-working driver/collector for whom I am thankful!)
I immediately was reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 23:27-28 when he was speaking to the “shiny clean” religious leaders of the day. They truly appeared to be righteous and full of wisdom. But Jesus knew what was inside. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
Well, hopefully that garbage truck did not contain dead people’s bones, but you get the analogy. Not only does God see right through the surface to our hearts, but I think most people see through appearances once they get to know others. No one likes a hypocrite and it’s a common excuse for why many people no longer wish to attend church. There are too many people trying to look good but they aren’t. And just like that garbage truck, we all leave a fragrance behind when we encounter others. I think I’d rather leave a pleasant aroma that lingers and possibly even changes someone’s day or causes them to consider my source of joy. One of my favorite Bible passages (I have many!) is 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 because it reminds me about the fact that I am leaving a fragrance wherever I go–and I don’t want to stink! It says, “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”
I do not want to just appear like a good person. I want to be a good person–inside and out. Let’s all examine our hearts and minds. We who are believers in Jesus are called to leave the aroma of Christ everywhere! I know I want to be more mindful of the aroma I leave behind–even when I don’t know people or interact with them beyond a brief encounter. It certainly didn’t take more than a moment for me to get quite an impression about that garbage truck. When we meet and pass someone in a store or parking lot or anywhere, just think of the fragrance we could leave. If we appear grumpy or in too much of a hurry to notice others, it could leave an unpleasant odor. But a smile or a hello could leave a completely different impression, a pleasant odor. We may even be called upon to give a little more of ourselves. I pray we would be available and willing.
It may seem silly, but the next time you see a garbage truck, I hope you will be reminded about the fragrances we leave behind. Let’s not be stinky, folks! We are the aroma of Christ.
