For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 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. (2 Corinthians 2:15-17, ESV)
I scanned the horizon when I heard my name. I wasn’t expecting to run into anyone for another forty minutes. To my surprise, my eyes were greeted with Randy Wolff’s effervescent smile. I skipped across main street and accepted a big hug. Before I could ask where Carol was, she wrapped me in another Texas hug. A delightful reunion.
Earlier in the day, our Links staff were guests at The Vintage Club, and my new friend and playing partner was 94-year-old Phil. When I am told that I’m in for a great day, I usually hide my internal eyeroll. My 18 holes with Phil exceeded all expectations. Phil’s kindness, generosity, sweet-spirit, gentle tone, and competitive spirit was a fragrant aroma. My heart smiled each time he said, “Hey Trac, shoot me a number.”
If you watched Phil swing the golf club, you would demand a copy of his birth certificate. He moved in and out of his cart easily, he giggled when we drove up to the edge of the green and said, “I get to drive this close because of my age.” He was quick to guide our group on how to play each hole. He asked question after question and was genuinely curious to know me. He willingly shared about his life. His eyes let-up when he explained how he came to follow Jesus on a trip to Israel more than fifty years ago.
Randy and Phil have been walking with Jesus for decades. They are men of sincerity who are commissioned by God and share the love of Jesus through their presence. They are also men who love the game of golf. Our entire Links staff and board members are no different.
Jeff Cranford shared from the pulpit recently how it is a daily challenge to stay in the grand tale that we are living with God. What grand tale is Jeff talking about? When we choose to follow Jesus and we are awakened by the Spirit of God, we become a part of a story that is bigger than ourselves. We get to envelope others with the aroma of Christ, an inviting fragrance of kindness, compassion, love, joy, empathy, and shared grief.
I am not holding Randy and Phil on a pedestal, and yet I have breathed in the aroma of Christ in knowing them. They are faithful servants of Christ who are living in God’s grand tale.
Jesus has commissioned us to be his aroma, to be men and women of sincerity, and to speak in his name. Will you accept?