Best parade ever

"But 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. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing" 2 Corinthians 2:14,15 NLT

To honor our nation's fallen yesterday, my friends and I participated in the wear blue:run to remember Memorial Day run. And while most of the people who attended the event chose to run the 5k distance, Jeannette and Gretchen (two of my craziest friends) agreed to run a half marathon with me which consisted of the three of us making our way from the city park to the cemetery by running alongside Old Route 66 in downtown Waynesville, MO. With two of us carrying the American flag, we must have raised some questions as to our intent--something that was made very clear when we passed an older couple working outside in their yard. "Are you all part of a parade or something?" the lady asked as we slowed down for our 30-second walk cycle. It took me a moment to understand the question but you can be sure I chuckled when I did and said, "No ma’am. We're just enjoying Memorial Day by showing off our patriotism." "If we're a parade then we're the worst parade ever," Gretchen said as we began our run cycle. "And the shortest too," Jeannette added as we all laughed.

And you know, when it comes to being part of a parade, the Bible tells us that God "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." To understand what this means, consider that in a Roman “triumphal procession” or parade, the Roman general would display his captives and treasures amidst a cloud of incense burned for the gods. To the victors, the aroma was sweet but to the captives it was the smell of slavery and death. "But thank God!" we are captives of Christ assigned the task of "showing off" or preaching the gospel to all those along the parade route of life, something that is a life-giving fragrance to those who choose to believe it and a repulsive aroma to those who don't. 

So preach the gospel wherever you go my friend knowing that "this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing." Some will see it as the best parade ever while others will view it as the worst. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that our lives are to be a Christ-like fragrance so that the lost would come to know You through the message we preach. Lord, please give us the boldness to share the Good News even to those will vehemently reject it and us, knowing that the day of Jesus’ return is quickly approaching. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!