The Stench
By Mike Rule

Several months ago we received a nice used mini-van. We are thrilled with this vehicle as it is exactly what we need to carry on in our lives and ministry. It has a lot of miles on it, but is still in excellent condition both inside and out. The interior of the van is almost like new, although it took several hours for my son Joseph and I to clean it up. I get such pleasure in getting into a sparkling, fresh-smelling vehicle.

A few days ago some of the windows were left slightly open during a rainstorm and the seats and carpeting got a little damp. Since then every time we get in the van we almost gag at the stench. Apparently there is something in the carpet padding that did not smell until it got wet but now it is almost unbearable. I could simply cover the smell up with an air freshener, but that would do nothing to remedy the problem. As long as we own this van, that smell will continually crop up to be a nuisance unless I remedy it by getting to the underlying cause. This has caused me to think about life.

Many times we are going along in our lives and everything looks really good. Then a seemingly minor event comes along that brings out something that was hidden. Everything looked fine up to that point, but now those around us can hardly stand the stench and it takes real effort to be near us. We are confused and hurting in the midst of what seemed to be such a minor event. It is important to remember that life does not cause problems, but rather it brings out the problems we have always had. Events are simply the catalyst that God uses to reveal what is in us.

The purpose in life is to reveal our need for Christ. If we lived our lives never having our underlying problems brought out, we would not come to see our desperate need of Christ. This is how God moves us into deeper dependence and intimacy with Him. Even though you may feel that your life stinks, be reminded that the things God reveals He always heals. Just as it is not hard for me to eliminate the stench in our van, it is not hard for Him to deal with the things that stink in your life. The hard part is being willing to let God do it His way and in His time. There are no quick fixes. The question before us today is, will we let Him do the work in His time or will we try to fix it ourselves by trying to cover it up and hide it. Only in this way, through the sacrifice of our good image and the burning up of our good reputation, can we become a pleasing aroma unto the Father. This is what it is to take up our cross daily and follow him. Walk in the light as He is in the light, letting every dark thing be exposed while also letting Him deal with each thing in His way and in His time.