How do I smell?

Last week I got to go to Austin, Texas, to interview Colt McCoy for the December issue of Sharing the Victory magazine and our online video ministry. In my line of work, I get to sit down with Christian athletes and coaches on a regular basis and talk about their faith. It’s a dream job, of course, and one that I thank God for every day.

In all of these interviews, I meet a lot of different personality types. There are hard-nosed, intense guys who convey that in their passion for the Lord. Some are more reserved and shy, yet incredibly sincere. Others are just straight-forward, no-nonsense athletes who tell you like it is. It’s such a unique opportunity to see how God’s body has many different parts that function as a whole unit for His glory.

The unique thing about Colt McCoy was that he was the most genuinely nice athlete I’d ever met. I’ve been doing this for close to four years now, and I’ve interviewed tons of athletes who are in the spotlight. All have been wonderful representatives of Christ, but until I met Colt, I’d never encountered an athlete who so genuinely seemed to understand his role as the aroma of Christ to those around him.

Take a look at the verse above. Have you ever thought about that concept? As Christians, we are to be the fragrance of Christ to the dying world around us. Imagine a kitchen that smells like chocolate chip cookies. What does that tell you? It means that there’s some kind of delicious treat in the area, and it makes you want one. More athletically, think about the smell of a baseball glove or a volleyball. If you’re an athlete, it makes you want to find the source and take the field.

That’s what it means for us to be the fragrance of Christ. The way we live and interact with others should make them sense that Christ is near. The love, grace and joy we display should alert them to His presence. And, like any pleasing aroma, it should make them crave Him.

After I left the interview with Colt, the Lord really challenged me on—forgive me if this sounds weird—how I smell. I had to ask myself whether or not a stranger who sat down to interview me would know that Christ was in the room based on my actions and demeanor.

Today, I challenge you to do the same. We may not have the opportunity to verbally witness to everyone who crosses our path, but we can still carry with us the aroma of Christ. May they all know that He’s in the room when we walk by, and may our actions awaken their personal craving for a Savior.