An Aroma

This past week I have been so encouraged by God's gifts of grace; in particular, the way He uses us despite and even through our great weaknesses.

I find myself easily discouraged by the obstacles there are to sharing our faith in the workplace. Even after being trained at a Christian University, I have constantly wrestled with my greatest longing to share the hope of Christ with the hopeless I see every day. Reading through the book of Acts several times this past week, I have been challenged by the boldness of these early disciples to share their testimonies in the face of great oppression and danger. How can I be more bold for Christ without risking my job and losing one of the greatest opportunities for ministry?

During our middle school youth meetings we have been sharing the weekly prayer calendar from Voice of the Martyrs; we invite the youth to join us in prayers for these persecuted nations. Weekly I am astounded by the faith of the young and old in places where Christians are killed daily for accepting Christ or trying to share the Gospel. This weekend I had the privilege of going to a VOM conference and hearing the testimonies of God's work in those persecuted nations. He is alive and active around the world in miraculous ways! One of the greatest lessons from these testimonies was the mercy of the persecuted toward their persecutors; they still longed for their enemies to know Christ, and they forgave them without question! What or who can I possibly complain about in light of the persecuted church?

One of the speakers talked about the reality and inevitability of the threat to our freedom here in the US. Will we be ready when the day comes that we can no longer freely worship in public settings? Shouldn't the fact that our time is running out motivate us to share the Truth while we still can? Shouldn't it also draw us to our knees in thanksgiving for our freedom and prayer for the courage to use it?

This morning we had a guest pastor at church who shared pieces of his own experiences in some of these persecuted nations. He reminded us of the Truth of 2 Cor 2:15-16, that we are the Aroma of Christ wherever we are! I have been reminded of this fact as I have marveled at the ways God has opened doors for me to touch other people's lives; just this week a young student encouraged me that she wants to be like me in the way I love people-during a week where I have failed miserably at patience and grace in loving others. Every day I have this opportunity, no matter where I am or what I'm doing to be that sweet Aroma and carry the Victory of Christ. What a privilege and a joy-so undeserved!!