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That Smell
There have been many times when I have been proud of my son, Tyler. At the top of the list would sit something that happened in May of 2005, in and around Tyler's graduation from Male High School.
Tyler planned a celebration party at our place in Shelby County. The invitation showed an aborigine with a bone stuck in his nose. He was labeled Mista Bojangles. Across his forehead were the words, Yield to the dread. Underneath the picture was handwritten information about the party. The photocopied invite quickly made the rounds at Male.
At first glance, it looked like an invitation to a field party-- the kind of party that happens in large, secluded fields, where the beer flows, self-control goes and the cops occasionally get called to come and break things up. In fact, we even got several phone calls from concerned parents.
But Tyler's party was different. Printed in large letters on the invitation were these words: "NO BOOZE or POT (or any other illegal substances)." Elsewhere, right below the instructions about what to bring, there was a line that said, "Don't bring: Alcohol, Drugs or any other illegal substances." To back things up, Tyler and his friends policed the group as they arrived, meeting kids as they parked in the field, reminding them that there was to be no booze or drugs.
It was a great party, and the kids had a great time! They built a big bonfire and enjoyed cold drinks and hamburgers and music and just being together. Several young people thanked us for having them out and commented about how nice it was to be at a party where no one got drunk and where they could actually remember what they did.
Kentucky's own Ale 8 was the drink of choice that night, and in my desk, I have a bottlecap on which I printed the party date: 5-25-02. The bottlecap will always remind me of a special night when my son stood up for what he believed and was a positive influence on those around him.
Several years ago, an outstanding Kentucky high school football player, who also happened to be a committed Christian, was being interviewed by a television reporter. She asked him if it wasn't difficult to stand strong for his beliefs in the midst of so much peer pressure. The athlete's response was a classic. "Lady, the young man replied, I am peer pressure."
The southern rock band, Lynard Skynard once recorded a song called That Smell. Complete lyrics can be viewed by entering the song title at www.getlyrics.com. Skynard, of course, was popular during the late 60's and early 70's when drug use was beginning to get out of hand. The band sings about the problems caused by substance abuse, the chorus repeatedly asking the question, "Can't you smell that smell? The smell of death surrounds you."
In today's world, the smell of death surrounds us. In America, racial tension exists; drugs and alcohol continue to destroy lives; families are fractured; people lie, cheat and steal in an attempt to get ahead. Internationally, terrorists murder, maim and foster fear; we are at war. Everywhere we look we see evidence of sin-- evidence that, as C.S. Lewis says, we are indeed bent and broken people.
In his novel, The Oath, Frank Peretti describes sin as a blackness that comes from inside-- a sickness that, if left unchecked, eventually oozes it's way out of our hearts and into the open, causing a terrible, repulsive smell and eventually leading to death. Apart from the forgiveness that God offers in Christ, there's not much we can do about sin.
Adolescents often bypass the shower and instead try to cover bad body smells with cologne and deodorant. We laugh, but the thinking's good, and perhaps even scriptural. In 2 Corinthians 2:14-15, Paul calls us to be an aroma for Christ-- to spread everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus. Paul believes we can counter our culture by living for Jesus. The fragrance of the knowledge of knowing Him can overcome the smell of death that surrounds us. And it can wipe it out for good, not just cover it up.
I pray these verses for my wife, Stephanie as she heads off to work each day in a secular school system. Beyond the Alfred Sung or Red that she may spray on, I pray that God will help Stephanie be a pleasing perfume for Him-- spreading the sweet smell of life that comes from knowing, loving and following God-- making a difference by being different.
Ooooh, that smell. Can't you smell that smell?
But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 2 Corinthians 2:14
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