by Nan Jones @NanJonesAuthor
Sunlight streamed through the window, carrying its Florida heat into the air conditioned cool of the bus. I chatted with a stranger, soon to be friend, about the goodness of God. Kate, too, loved the Lord. We turned left off Highway 27 and made our way into a processing plant for Florida orange juice. Looming towers of metal were everywhere with Valencia oranges poking through the cages.
Bobby, our tour guide, explained the crushing process as the oranges traveled through the plant. From time to time we’d get a whiff of sweet orange with a tinge of citrus acidity. The oranges went through their day plopping and bouncing and rolling along the belts preparing for the time of crushing. Great containers held the sweet juice that would help awake sleepy souls.
And then we rounded a curve. A heavenly aroma filled the air.
The bus stopped in front of two very large steel vats. I closed my eyes as the sweet fragrance wrapped itself around me. It was the oil of multitudes of crushed oranges. The fragrance was soft. Soothing. I felt my spirit lift as I soaked in this lovely aroma permeating every breath I took.
The Body of Christ is like this.
The fragrance of God’s love is like this.
I was in Clewiston, Florida to speak at a ladies’ event the following day. Through my own season of brokenness, I have learned of God’s faithfulness and His amazing grace. I couldn’t wait to minister to these precious sisters in Christ … to help strengthen them in their faith.
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But they ministered even more to me.
Their lives testified of God’s faithfulness through the storms of life … the gut-wrenching pain of betrayal, the horrific deaths of loved ones, fiery darts of bitterness and unforgiveness that crush our very souls.
And yet they hungered to know God more.
The fragrance of their love wrapped itself around me, embraced me with the warmth of God’s presence. Together we basked in His exquisite love. Together we helped one another heal.
Together we pressed into our Lord and were strengthened for the journey.
“In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. ~ 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, The Message
May our prayer be that everywhere we go, people will breathe in the exquisite fragrance of God’s love.
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This post first appeared on Nan’s blog March 24, 2015. Visit Nan’s blog at www.NanJones.com to read more.
