The Bible talks about offering our lives as a fragrance of worship to God(Romans 12:1). It’s recently that I understood the true meaning of that statement.

I soaked few clothes in a bucket, and played with the soap bubbles, thinking how great it smelt. Something came up and I could not wash them that day. Few days went by, and I still couldn’t wash them, mostly due to work timings, and also my laziness. Every day I would pass by my bucket in the washing area thinking to myself ‘tonight surely I’ll surely wash them’! Finally, the day came when I went towards my bucket and it was a wonder that I did not throw up. My clothes smelt of the sewage. It was such a horrible stench that even the half bottle of fabric softener I used was negligible. This incident reminded me of my own spiritual life.

For weeks I looked at the Bible on my table and thought ‘tonight I’ll spend some time reading and praying’. But every day passed by futile. At first I used to excuse myself saying ‘work is too hectic and I’m just tired. Surely God would understand!’ But eventually it was just negligence and laziness.Finally when I gathered up the courage and time to sit in God’s presence it felt new and strange. The Word looked like Greek and Latin to me and praying seemed difficult, and I thought to myself how God might be finding it difficult to bear the stench of the sins I’ve accumulated. I felt ashamed and surrendered  myself to Him. We read in Psalms 141: 2, “Accept my prayer as incense offered to you,  and my upraised hands as an evening offering.”

It is a wonderful desire to have our worship ascend before God as a sweet smelling aroma of a incense. It is the desire of every Jesus lover. But if we try to offer worship without getting rid of those sinful habits which are displeasing to the Lord, it will STINK! God promises that He will never leave us nor forsake us. The Bible says in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

It’s better than any fabric softener ever found. Surrender to Him today…don’t wait, there is no better time! He’s waiting for you!

Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.