Bees & The Aroma of Christ.

The aroma of Christ – what is it? How can I get it? What is it like? Do I spread the aroma of Christ in my daily life? Tom explains.

How Much Honey Does a Bee Make?

Not long after I started keeping bees, my wife asked me an interesting question: “How much honey does a single bee make in its lifetime?”

I looked it up, and the answer was much smaller than I thought—less than a gram, about one-twelfth of a teaspoon.

I remarked that it was kind of depressing from a bee’s perspective. One meager gram represents the sum-total of the bee’s entire existence. All that work for so little! It made me wonder what my own life would look like when I finished it. Would I look back and see a fraction of a teaspoon’s worth of effort? Thankfully, my wife reminded me of an important factor I was overlooking:

“Don’t forget about all the flowers that bee pollinated.”

A Great Illustration

I think there’s a great illustration of the Christian life in her astute observation. We have a very narrow idea of what accomplishment is, and sometimes it is hard not to look back with regret or disappointment at what we have achieved.

Did our children grow up to be nominal Christians? Did we serve as missionaries or evangelists for years without seeing any changed lives? Did we work for decades in secular employment and then retire without leaving any tangible impression? Did we teach class after class and see no change in our students?

Highly Visible Markers

Those are all highly visible markers of successful effort, our honey, as it were. But when we are close to the Lord Jesus Christ, we carry His aroma, the pollen of eternal life.

In doing our day-to-day tasks, in performing the mundane responsibilities of parenthood, of employment, of ministry, we brush against the “stigma” of eternal souls, and in those delicate touches—forgotten words spoken in due season, spontaneous acts of kindness, saintly dispositions in the trials of life—moves the unseen but effectual ministry of the Spirit of God. And without that ministry, there would be no fruit!

Stay Close to God

Christian, stay close to God. Wash yourself daily with the Word. Remember His works, His character, His promises. Confess your sins quickly. Worship Him consistently. Pray without ceasing.

When we pass into eternity, it will be the fruit of the vine, not of the honey of the hive, that will bring the most glory to our King. May you find an unexpected harvest!

Do you share the aroma of Christ? How? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.

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