A Skunk

Yesterday, I went to meet with Mike for our normal Friday run.  On my way, I ran over a skunk that had already been hit.  I think someone hit it not long before I came upon him.  The smell was bad.  I only partially ran him over but it was enough.  Enough to make the car wreak and the smell lingered for the rest of the day. The smell stayed with me until I went to the car wash.  Thankfully, I no longer smell but one thing is for sure skunks smell and others know it.  
When you smell a skunk, you know he/she has to be around somewhere because you can smell him.  Christians should have an odor that lingers as well.  The odor is not physical but it is a spiritual odor that brings praise to God.  The Apostle Paul says, "Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing (New Living Translation)."
Those who are perishing and are rebelling against God might think Christians stink and rain on their parade.  Yet, to those who are being saved, we rejoice in the aroma of Christ-followers.  Why?  Because it is an odor of grace, humility, love, and righteousness.  An odor that can only come from Christ.  As Christians, we should display an example of humility wherever we go.  It will result in praise to God and will point others to God's power.  God has removed our foul odor that leads to death and replaced it with a fresh aroma that leads to life.