Out of my control!

Read: 2 Corinthians 2:15–17

15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

A few weeks ago, I had lunch with Kerry Wilson. We met at a place he wanted me to try. As he ordered, he asked for a pizza with pepperonis (good start) and mushrooms! Why did he have to ruin a good thing with fungus? Who would ever choose this?

Just like certain foods (mushrooms, cilantro, oysters) are either loved or hated, we must understand that when we talk about our faith, the same visceral reaction is likely. Paul says, to some we are the fragrance of life and to others the fragrance of death.

Here is the point you need to remember: You cannot control how someone responds.
You can’t do it in your emails at work, your Christmas plans with family, or your neighbors’ thoughts about your yard. You cannot control what others think.

Your job is to be the fragrance. Some will be attracted to it while others are repelled by it. Think about the perfume counter. We have all smelled a spray of perfume that is off-putting yet still sells for hundreds of dollars.

We cannot control the response, but we can control our living out the message. The simple way I like to say it is this: You are called to share, not save, because you cannot save! God changes hearts; you simply point to God!

Maybe you are struggling today with the way you are seen by others, avoided by others, or chastised by others. Reflect on how much energy you spend trying to control how people respond to your faith. God calls you to faithfulness, not universal approval.