I drove Heidi through the darkness away from the airport and toward my home. Very little light pierced that darkness except for headlights from the occasional vehicle, and yet her other senses were taking in so much. The smells of Uganda are sometimes overwhelming, burning trash and exhaust fumes are the most prevalent. This assault of the senses, one that all Ugandans can relate to, was the starting point for her teaching.
The Konoweka ladies gathered nearly on time for their guest speaker. Heidi started her story by relating her experience of arriving in Uganda with the 2 Corinthians Scripture about the fragrance of the Lord.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)
What kind of fragrance do you leave behind? Is it one that brings life? The next time you put on perfume, use scented hand soap, or shampoo your hair…the next time you bake a pot roast, chocolate chip cookies, or lasagna…be reminded that you are the aroma of Christ and that you can smell like fresh bread or burnt toast…it’s your choice.