The fragrance of Christ

[Jonathan Evens]

Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not peddlers of God’s word like so many; but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in his presence. 2 Cor. 2:14-17

 

Meditation

What do you smell like at work? Of course I’m not asking about your personal hygiene; nor whether you bring pungent food into the office at lunchtime.  When Paul talks about us being “the aroma of Christ” and acting like a fragrance to others, he’s talking about a different kind of smell.

What’s the aroma you exude when you go to a meeting with clients or patients?  What about when you’re working on a project with colleagues?  Or when you’re having a chat with your boss?  What’s the aroma you give off?  What do people breathe in when they’re around you?  Our words, our manner, our actions have a scent and a flavour.  To what extent is that aroma one which reflects something life-giving, something of God’s good character?

Here’s what one of her colleagues said about Fiona, a social services manager, as the two of them battled with a long-running and difficult service complaint.  “You’re under so much stress and always busy, but you always have a smile and a different perspective.”  Under pressure, Fiona smells pretty good.  She remains gracious and creative.

Here’s what his manager said about Tom, who heads up a sales team in a competitive business where the temptation to cover up mistakes is high.  “I really respect that you always tell the truth and don’t try to hide problems – that’s had a huge impact on me and the rest of the team.”  Tom is giving off a good scent.  Under pressure he remains honest, and takes responsibility for problems.

How we function at work contributes to shaping the culture in our workplace.  When that culture is toxic in some way, it’s much more challenging to stand against it, and to maintain our convictions about how to handle ourselves.  If the culture is one where people dump their anxiety on more junior staff, it takes maturity to manage your own anxiety, and treat your juniors with fairness and respect.  If the culture is one where people rush to cover up mistakes, or to blame others when things go wrong, it takes courage for you to admit that there’s a problem, and to be truthful about what’s gone wrong.

And if someone else in your workplace is upset or needs a listening ear, do you take the time to be with them and to listen? It may go against the organisational grain, but it will contribute to you giving off the aroma of Christ.  And that’s a sweet smell, one that revives other people, and gives them life. Let’s smell that way.

Let’s take a few moments of silent reflection…   [25-60 secs]

Prayer

As we come to prayer, I invite you to sit with your hands open on your lap and to join in with the response on the sheet.  So when I say:

‘Help us to bring life, Lord,’ the response is

‘with the fragrance of Christ.’ [repeat with people response]

Gracious Father, who revealed your life most fully in your Son Jesus Christ, help us to bearers of the fragrance of Christ in our work today; grant us maturity to manage our anxieties and to treat others respectfully; give us courage when we need to admit that there’s a problem or we’ve messed up; and help us to provide a sweet smell through our presence at work.

‘Help us to bring life, Lord,’

‘with the fragrance of Christ.’

Life-giving God, whose Son came to give his life for others, grant wisdom to the people of the UK as we discern whether to remain part of the European Union; overcome the stench of some of the campaigners’ interactions, and encourage honesty and respect for others; and grant that the people of this country will vote based on wisdom and the recognition of the interest of others, not just on emotional arguments or selfish concerns.

‘Help us to bring life, Lord,’

‘with the fragrance of Christ.’

Creator God, whose work brought forth the wonders of creation, grant that we and all peoples might care for your world; thank you for the political agreement reached earlier this month to combat climate change; strengthen governments throughout the world to implement this agreement; and help us together to work for the health of the planet, that the earth may be a place in which all peoples might flourish and praise you.

‘Help us to bring life, Lord,’

‘with the fragrance of Christ.’

Merciful God, whose plan is that we should dwell with you for eternity, grant that we might better lead our lives in this world in accordance with your will.  And may the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, rest upon you and remain with you and those you love, today, and always.  Amen. 

 

Priest for Partnership Development - St Martin-in-the-Fields (tel: 020 7766 1127, email: jonatha...@smitf.org) and St Stephen Walbrook (tel: 020 7626 9000, email: pri...@ststephenwalbrook.net) Secretary - commission4mission (http://www.commission4mission.org/) Director - Sophia Hubs Limited (http://sophiahubs.com/) Twitter: @jevens / @commission4miss Blog: http://joninbetween.blogspot.co.uk/ Book: 'The Secret Chord' - http://www.thesecretchord.co.uk/ Meditations: 'Mark of the Cross' (http://www.theworshipcloud.com/view/store/mark-of-the-cross-pdf) / 'The Passion' (http://www.theworshipcloud.com/view/written/the-passion-the-passion) 

[Jonathan Evens]

Hi Tony,

We're all ok, doing well. How are things with you? Would you like to get together for a coffee at some point?

All the best,

Jonathan 

Priest for Partnership Development - St Martin-in-the-Fields (tel: 020 7766 1127, email: jonatha...@smitf.org) and St Stephen Walbrook (tel: 020 7626 9000, email: pri...@ststephenwalbrook.net) Secretary - commission4mission (http://www.commission4mission.org/) Director - Sophia Hubs Limited (http://sophiahubs.com/) Twitter: @jevens / @commission4miss Blog: http://joninbetween.blogspot.co.uk/ Book: 'The Secret Chord' - http://www.thesecretchord.co.uk/ Meditations: 'Mark of the Cross' (http://www.theworshipcloud.com/view/store/mark-of-the-cross-pdf) / 'The Passion' (http://www.theworshipcloud.com/view/written/the-passion-the-passion) 

On Tuesday, June 14, 2016 9:46 AM, Hyland Tony DWP NATIONAL EMPLOYER AND PARTNERSHIP TEAM <TONY....@DWP.GSI.GOV.UK> wrote:

Hope all well with you and Family Jonathan !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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