“Thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.” 2 Cor. 2:14-15
Lord Jesus, what a stunning description of what it means to know you. When you melted us with your mercy and conquered us by the Gospel, you placed us in a “parade of grace.” And, hallelujah, it’s going to carry us all the way into the new heaven and new earth.
You made us your captives and now we’re captivated with your beauty, goodness, and truth. Everything glorious about you claims every broken part of us. We sing to you, on this 1st day of November…
“Wonderful, merciful Savior… precious Redeemer and Friend… who would have thought that a Lamb would rescue us?” … Jesus, we are now “resting, resting in the joy of what you are, as we discover more and more of the greatness of your loving heart… O, how marvelous your goodness, lavished all on us… “The very thought of you fills our hearts with gladness.” More, Lord, more.
Jesus, increase our “smitten-ness” with yourself. We’ll never over-love you. We’ll never be too preoccupied with you—too enamored, too astonished, too undone. When it comes to you, there’s no such thing as “balance.” May our lives become fragrant with grace—offering a sweet perfume rising up to God in wonder, love, and praise.
Since we are most like you when we are humble, gentle, grateful, and kind, keep us in that attitude and posture. Grace always runs downhill, and you are always running towards us, Jesus. Hallelujah, and So Very Amen.
