Perfume Bottle

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 2 Corinthians 2: 14 (ESV)

When I read this verse I can’t help but to feel humbled by the privilege that it is to be a child of God. In His Mercy and Grace, Our Heavenly Father has devised the most perfect way to lead us in victory…Christ. Regardless of our current state and debilitating circumstance, He is the One whose triumph makes us victorious! Yes, even you and I are, at this very moment, in the midst of our fear, anxiety, temptation, darkness, sadness, loneliness, abandonment, despair, hopelessness, fill-in-the-blank-situation, being led in triumphal procession to meet our destiny.

The most interesting thing is that also, while we are in our victory parade, we are being used by God as a perfume bottle.

The thought is most curious. Think about it. Imagine it or go grab your perfume bottle if you have one. Take a good look at it and answer this question: how do you get the perfume out of it?

Hmmm…

Mine has a spray mechanism. I have to press it down so the fragrant liquid is pushed upwards through a tiny tube. There are others, however, that in order to get the perfume out, once you remove the lid you have to turn it up-side-down as you press your finger on the bottle’s mouth. There may be others that you have to squeeze somewhere or another…But look at all the words used here: press down, turn up-side-down, squeeze…how would you like to have that done to you?

The fact is that in order to get the perfume out, there is always a rather violent technique involved. Otherwise, all we may end up with is a nice/chic looking bottle collecting dust on our dresser. The aroma would never be released. And, what’s the point of that?

Sigh…

Is there an analogy here anywhere? I think there might be.

Yes, you got it! The only way to release the fragrant aroma of the knowledge of Christ in our lives is by going through some or other rather uncomfortable and pressing experience which causes us to express His presence in us to all around. Any difficult moment we go through, be it whatever it may, will squeeze the knowledge of Him like the most expensive perfume if we consciously go through that event with our eyes fixed on His face.

As we are pressed down, the fragrance is sprayed and He is glorified! The most exciting thing is that He, indeed, claims us as His incense, holy and pleasing to Him. What a privileged it is then, to be turned up-side-down for His glory!

I will accept you as fragrant incense when I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will be proved holy through you in the sight of the nations. Ezekiel 20: 41