Skip to main content

The Lilac Scent


Mmm . . . I caught the faint sweet smell of the freshly picked lilacs as I walked through my family room. Lilacs have gotta be the fragrance of Spring! As I sat down and started to read, their aroma quickly drifted off. Instead, I found myself knee deep in blood and gore. In bold print was how King Solomon initially established his kingdom and power. He had a hit man, Benaiah, who carried out his plans, and killed off the threats to his political power. This included Solomon's older brother, Adonijah, who had failed at capturing the kingdom for himself. It was also, Joab, his father's former army commander, who himself had been involved with killing those he felt were in his way. Finally, it was Shimei, who had been a tormentor of his father King David. So King Solomon had settled the score, both for him and for his father; now, he could rule.

I think I know why people don't like to read the stories found in the Old Testament. I think they find them much too graphic, too violent, too filled with war, with lust and lurid sex. There probably are great steamy screenplays to write from that base of history, because the pages are uncensored. Truth be told, I think we would rather avoid reading those tales because it forces us to see us as we really are. It's easier to stay "whitewashed" and think of us as good and righteous.

Yet, the message or theme is just the same, through out both the Old and New Testament. It's not about us or our goodness or faithfulness. It's not that David was such a great king or that his son Solomon was so wise, it's not that there was something special about the nation of Israel. It was only because of God's faithfulness and grace that He decided to show through that nation and David's lineage, his Savior Jesus. It's because of God's great love for us that He enters into our mess and "gunk" of human life. His grace is like the lilac scent that fills my senses, that aroma that arises not from me, but from the sacrifice of Christ . . .

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."
(Ephesians 5:1-2)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Easter Production

Driving down the freeway, the large billboard caught my eye.  "Join us for our Easter Production,"  it beckoned with splashy brown and orange colors.  It made me think, yes, that's what the resurrection of Jesus Christ has been reduced to. . . a man made production.  Even this very day we celebrate, the headlines are all about the celebrities that attract the biggest Easter crowd.  E.G. "Tim Tebow draws thousands to Texas Easter service."  Once again, I had to think . . . who is Easter really about?  What happened to "Jesus draws a crowd?" I have grown tired of celebrity worship.  Yet, it seems in America that is what most Christians are interested in. We flock to mega churches, we drink in videos and studies all geared to keep us simple minded and complacent.  No longer is theology a priority to be taught.  No, it's better to read through the Bible in a year by reading only 5 minutes a day.  Never mind, contemplating or discuss...
Post a Comment
Read more

Summer Breeze

  Gypsy Rose immediately prances to the back door as she hears her name.  We are ready for our morning walk, which has started later than usual, since I have some of these summer days off.  But it is still early enough to catch the morning breeze.  Walking south, I am refreshed by feeling the gentle wind all around me, it's a cool wrap in contrast to the summer sun.  But it all seems to disappear as I turn the corner and head west, my summer breeze is gone.  I am at a loss for it even as I continue north and east.  It's only as I begin the southern sidewalks back home that I am met with the blissful breeze.  I realize that though I wasn't feeling it for most of my steps, it was there all along, I just had to turn the right direction to get relief . . .  Sometimes, that is how my relationship with God seems.  Yes, I know He is ever near and is with me, but I don't feel that fact.  Sometimes my prayers seem to be in a vacuum, and I'm ...
Post a Comment
Read more

I am He

It's another one of those finicky March mornings.  Yesterday was picture perfect with early morning warm sunshine, crisp clear air, and rocky mountain peaks all framed by a royal blue sky.  On the other hand, today is a gray cloudy morning with the brilliance of Spring abruptly dimmed.  It's even a bit too cool and breezy for my morning bike ride, so I'll enjoy this "clock change" Sunday morning here on my favorite couch.  Opening the patio door, invites the sweetest aroma inside.  You are instantly drawn to find the source of what you smell.  Looking to my left, I see the beautiful vine that has climbed up one of Juniper trees, and has another trail of itself winding through a second tree.  It is like looking at a cascading fountain of brilliant blossoms.  I have found that the vine is known as a climbing jasmine.  I have no idea how it has ended up in our yard.  I can't exactly find its original site.  I use to think it was ju...
Post a Comment
Read more