You Smell, Too

Imagine this- you're standing up singing and praising the Lord, and you smell someone's B.O. You notice the same person from last time when you smelled it, is sitting by you, now. Worship is done and now the sermon starts.

You try not to get so annoyed about the very pungent B.O next to you- wondering why she doesn't wear any before she leaves the house. It's always this person and the usher sat you beside her.

So, you shift uncomfortably in your seat, looking around to see if there is another place to sit, but pews are extra full this service. You can't focus on the sermon because of the smell AND to top it all off, the other person next to you is online shopping at Fashion Nova, while preacher is preaching! "Ughh. Why did I pick this seat amongst heathens? They are so inconsiderate of others to act and smell distracting up in this congregation" you think to yourself, angrily.

Then, suddenly, Holy Spirit blesses you with a memory of yourself being bullied in middle school about your B.O. At the very fun age of 13, you had terrible eczema under your arms and every deodorant irritated your skin. So. you stop trying to figure it out and just endure the bullying- pretending you don't smell anything. Holy Spirit is not playing today! You get another memory of yourself sleeping off and playing online games while preacher is preaching- just a couple years ago! The memory fades and you're back to the present day. What's your response, now?

Now, I know that that story is not yours- it's obviously mine! But I wanted to vulnerably paint a picture to you on how quick I am (and maybe even some of you are, too) to judge others, so often. It's something I have to ask God to help me with daily.

Because I love where I am spiritually, I tend to let my spiritual walk with God be the standard in how everyone else should walk with Him. Oh, they didn't think of others before leaving the house without deodorant or Oh, they should know better to be scrolling on TikTok during church- the judgmental thoughts go on and on.

The Lord Christ Jesus is the standard, it's never us! We all stink and are in desperate need of being covered with the blood- the sacrifice Jesus made at the cross, for all "stinkers" like you and me. Now, I'll stop saying "stinkers" and call us what the Word of God calls us- sinners. Romans 3:23 states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." So, none of us can judge- NOT ONE. Because we all have a "smell" on us that we can not get rid of, without the best friend we have in Jesus!

So, I encourage you as I encourage myself- don't be so quick to judge another believer in where they are, spiritually, and where their heart is for God. Pray for Holy Spirit in them to keep showing them how to surrender all things. And I pray we all learn to lead in love with a smile and compassionate heart to show them more, the Jesus we know!