Our Advent focus at church continues with the three gifts of Christmas, this week focusing on frankincense. The primary question brought up in this week’s sermon (which you can find here) connected the idea of worship and incense: what “smells” like worship in our lives?
Smell is a very powerful trigger. In an instant, a single odor can take us from joy to anxiety, from depression to comfort. Smell incites physical responses such as allergies or migraines. It triggers emotions. It prompts memories. It activates cravings. It provides warnings and feeds anticipation.
Some people are more sensitive to scents than others. I fall in the “more” category. Things like perfumes or tobacco of any sort can quickly trigger an allergic response or migraine — or both — for me. On the other hand, scents that don’t cause a negative impact can fill me with excitement!
I don’t know that I ever tire of the smell of cinnamon. It’s comfort and health and pleasure and joy and so many other emotions I can’t even name.
The smell of rain after a dry spell is a lifelong treasure.
The smell of snow always makes me smile.
The smell of meat cooking, of a wood fire, of leather, of a new book…
I could go on and on.
As I think about the power of smells and ponder the question of what “smells” like worship in my life, I realize that the things I do — and even my very presence — can have as strong of an impact on others as certain smells.
I’ve always wanted to have a positive impact on people, to be considered a positive presence in their lives. But, I’ve always wrestled with the feeling that I’m the opposite. Growing up, I believed that others didn’t truly like being around me. They just felt obligated for one reason or another (I could always come up with a reason), and if they were left to their preferences, I wouldn’t be wanted. While I do know that was true in some situations, much of that revolved around my own insecurities, and those insecurities have persisted into adulthood.
But as I ponder this question more, I realize that the anxiety I felt about other people stemmed from the fact that my approach was wrong. I am not here to have a positive impact on people. I’m here for one reason and one reason only: to point others to Jesus. That’s it.
The “smell” of my presence in this world should be the “smell” of Jesus.
I know for a fact that I don’t do that well. I’m a perfectionist, and so my “smell” is often that of making sure all of the details line up. My “smell” too frequently makes others feel that they don’t measure up, despite the fact that I’m the one who feels inadequate in most situations. My “smell” is caught up in the here and now. In the details. In things being “right.”
While in some situations the details are important, they are always secondary to Jesus. Always. And that’s what my life should reflect.
I should radiate worship. The love of Christ. The joy of His presence. The comfort of His grace. The power of His forgiveness. The reality of His pure judgment (and never mine!) that is so entwined with everlasting, unfailing love that the two can never be separated. Those things are the smell of worship. The smell of Christ Jesus.
To be honest, I’m not overly enamored by the smell of frankincense. It’s not bad. It doesn’t cause a migraine or trigger my allergies or incite negative emotions. It’s just not a favorite smell. But, I love the idea that, in Old Testament texts, it’s shown as the smell of worship. It was included in almost every worship-based sacrifice, as well as being part of the unique incense blend laid out by God for use in the tabernacle. When the Israelites smelled frankincense, they would think of worship. Every time.
That’s how I want to live my life, as a person who makes others think of worship. Of the presence of Christ. But how do I get there?
By establishing my own reminders to focus on worship throughout each day. The smell of frankincense might not do the trick for me as it did for the Israelites, but there are many other things that can remind me. My job is to let those triggers do their work. To not be numb to them, as we can often become numb to certain sights and smells. To actively respond in worship whenever I encounter the reminders.
I can only draw others to Christ when I am faithfully focusing on Him myself.
Lord, make me like frankincense!
Not Quite Ordinary 