What's That Smell? by Dawn White

What's That Smell?

Scripture:  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness!  1 John 1:9

This past fall, I was privileged to attend a retreat with some very special Godly women.  We all knew the coordinator of the event, but most of us did not know each other.  We were all staying in a bed and breakfast, but didn't know ahead of time what our room arrangements would be.  So, it wasn't clear if you'd be sharing a room with someone you didn't know or not.  Because of this, one of the ladies graciously bought us each a bottle of Poopourri.   Yes, I spelled it correctly.  This ingenious little bottle of spray is to be used when you have to, well... completely mask any lingering effects from the business at hand.  And, let me just say, it is amazing!

Now, some of you are wondering if I've checked out and what this could possibly have to do with a Spiritual devotion.  Let me just say, I am a person of analogies and the Lord often speaks to me through them.   So... I do have a message here.

In Colossians 1:14-16 it says, "in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him."  These scripture make it clear that Jesus was around from the beginning of time.  The world was formed through Him and for Him.  Thus, Jesus wasn't just an idea later in time and then sent to earth.  He was around from the beginning. 

This is important because Jesus had spent hundreds and hundreds of years in heaven, where all is perfect.  No sin, no illness, no pain, no abuse, no suffering, no hurt....complete peace & joy.  Then at the time ordained by God the Father, He was sent to the earth to be born to the virgin Mary.  Talk about a culture shock.  I've often thought that coming to earth with all the sin and suffering must have been a stench in the nostrils of Jesus, yet He willingly came anyway.  He came in the flesh to redeem us from our own self destruction.  He is the gift that makes eternal life available to us, as well as victory in our earthly lives.

1 John 1:9 says that all we have to do is confess our sins and we are cleansed from all unrighteousness.  It really is quite simple, surrender to Jesus and admit your wrong doing.  Then, by His blood that was poured out on Calvary, you are completely cleansed, as if you had never done anything wrong.  When God the Father looks at you, He no longer sees that sin.  It is washed away by the blood of Jesus.

Now back to the Poopourri.  This amazing potion completely masks any 'residue' of the business at hand.  No one knows of the dirty business that has taken place.  That's exactly the way it works with the blood of Jesus.  When the sin is confessed, Father God no longer remembers what took place.

But, there is a catch....I never would have known the cleansing power of Poorpourri if I hadn't opened the gift and used it.  Friends, it is the same with Jesus.  He is the most precious gift, but you'll never know the power of this gift if you don't open it.  He wants to cleanse you, He wants to help you, He wants to heal you, to comfort you, to counsel you, to give you peace.  All you have to do is open the gift.

Be Blessed!