As I stood outside of my church yesterday afternoon, a man and a young boy of perhaps 9 or 10 years old walked out of the building. As they passed, I heard the young boy say, “It smells like Sunday.” The boy’s statement brought a smile to my face as I began to think, “What does Sunday smell like?” For some, the smell of Sunday could be the fragrance of Dad’s cologne as he gets ready for church. For some, it could be the aroma of bacon, eggs, toast, and freshly brewed coffee coming from the kitchen as Mom prepares Sunday breakfast. For some, it could be the odor of fresh ink on newsprint as they read the Sunday paper. And for others, it could be the fragrance of incense as they walk into church on Sunday morning.
These earthly smells, these aromas, are pleasing to many, but there are other smells, spiritual aromas, that are even more pleasing, especially to God. On Sunday mornings, churches are filled with followers of Christ who gather together to lift their voices in praise to God and to hear the Word of God. Heartfelt praise lifted up to God is like incense; it is a fragrant offering, an aroma that is pleasing to God. Our praise is like the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the drink offerings offered to God by the people of Israel. It is a pleasing aroma, a sweet aroma, a sacrifice lifted up to God (Numbers 18:6, 29:6).
When the gospel of Jesus Christ is shared with those who have not heard it, the knowledge of Christ and His sacrifice for us is a fragrance that is spread throughout the world by those who have already heard and accepted it. Followers of Christ are the sweet aroma of Christ among those people who are being saved, a fragrance that can bring life to those who come to accept the gospel when it is delivered to them (2 Corinthians 2:14-16). When we give our lives to Christ and others learn about Him through our words and actions, our lives become a sacrifice that is pleasing to God (Romans 12:1). Our lives become a sweet aroma to Him.
The smell of Sunday, the sweet aroma that is pleasing to God, should not be limited to Sunday mornings. We should look to be that sweet aroma to Him every day of the week.
A Worshiper's Journal 