In my last blog, "Small Things and a Big God", I wrote about not feeling like I’m making a difference on the race for a number of different reasons. God is so good and has given me answers and comfort in my discouragement. He also gave my team words to speak over me in encouragement through scripture, their own experiences, and in love.
I talked about how I don’t think have any gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12. However, at the very end of that chapter it teaches to earnestly desire these gifts. Then comes the very last verse: I will show you a more excellent gift. The next chapter is about love. If you don’t have love, you don’t have anything. I could have the most elaborate prayers, but if I do not love, it means nothing. I could heal the sick, but if I don’t have love, I have nothing. I could have all the wisdom and knowledge in the world, but still gain nothing. God wants us to pursue love first as our foundation. Then gifts will come after that.
My squad leader came to stay with our team for a few days this past week. She wrote a note to me after I shared my recent struggles and how I was seeking God to find these answers. In the note she wrote me the verses 2 Corinthians 2:14-15:
"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."
I am naturally giving off the aroma of Jesus wherever I go even if I’m not even trying. It’s part of who I am. The fragrance of Christ is something I will always have and no one can take away from me.
These verses gave me such encouragement and joy in confirming that I don’t need to do big, flashy things to make a difference to someone spiritually. I want them to see Jesus in me and to do that I just need to LOVE. That’s it. Love God. Love people. Love myself. Just LOVE. He will work out everything else.
