The Moonflower's Fragrance

Isaiah 3:24 – Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-dressed hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 2:15a,16b – Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God. To those who are being saved we are a life-giving perfume. (NLT)

The moonflower is one of my favourites. It has snow-white blossoms that grow on a vine and bloom at night. Late in the evening as the sun goes down and twilight appears, the lovely flowers open, showing forth their beauty and purity to the world.

Many miss the beauty of these flowers and their fragrance that drifts on the quiet night air. Only those who venture out in the late evening twilight and the darkness of night are blessed by the beauty and fragrance of this night-blooming plant. By the time the sun appears in the early morning, the moonflower has finished her contribution to the world.

Many things in our lives prevent us from experiencing the fragrance of Christ in our lives. Busyness and ambition can fill our time with so much activity that no room is left for communing with God.

Bitterness and resentments can produce a sour odour in our lives, which is unpleasant to be around and which overpowers the fragrance of Christ. When our lives get into this condition, we need to remember the moonflower's beauty and fragrance as it drifts in the quietness of the evening. It is in these quiet moments that we commune with God, and allow Him to remove the unpleasantness and to waft His sweet fragrance into our nostrils.

Prayer: Lord, help us to find Your fragrance in the quiet moments. Remove the mould and rot from our lives and make us into life-giving perfume. Amen.

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