His Aroma...

I love watching cooking shows...I know, some people would find that VERY boring. Since I was little, my sisters and I enjoyed any cooking show on TV. Now, I'm a bit of a Rachael Ray fan. (I know some people think she's annoying...but I like a happy cook!) One thing Rachael Ray has taught me is that when I'm using dry spices, I should always rub them in the palm of my hand before adding them to the pot. This brings out the aroma and flavor of the spice.

Today in my Bible study, I read about the importance of brokenness in our lives. My life can only bring about the aroma of Christ when He can break me in His hands. Isn't it amazing that God would rather have our broken hearts than all the cattle we could bring in an offering? I think subconsciously I've always thought that God wants us to be broken just to show who's boss. But recently, He's openned my eyes to see that it is His passionate love for me that causes Him to call for repentance and brokenness for my sins. He knows what He's saving us from.

Charles Spurgeon says it much better:

"If I can see sin as an offense against Jesus Christ, and loathe myself because I have wounded him, then I have a true brokenness of heart. If I see the Savior and believe that those thorns upon his head were put there by my sinful words; if I believe that those wounds in his heart were made by my heart-sins; if I believe that those wounds in his feet were made by my wandering steps, and that the wounds in his hands were made by my sinful deeds, then I repent after a right fashion. Only under the cross can you repent. Repentance elsewhere is remorse, which clings to the sin and only dreads the punishment. Let us then seek, under God, to have a hatred of sin caused by a sight of Christ's love"

I love this prayer by C. Spurgeon:

"Savior, your heart was broken for me, break my heart! You were wounded; wound me! Your blood was freely poured forth, for me; Lord, let me pour forth my tears that I should have nailed you to the tree. Oh Lord, dissolve my soul; melt it in tenderness, and you will be forever praised for making your enemy your friend."

May our lives be broken in His gentle hands so that others may smell the aroma of Jesus and want Him too!

-Rebekah