Need an Air Freshener

“The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain” ~ 2 Timothy 1:16

A few weeks ago, I had plans to get to work early and begin my day on the right track and prepare my classroom for my students to come in and have an interesting lesson.

I got ready, I headed out the door, and I got in my car, and I smelt one of the most repulsive smells I have ever smelt in my life. I looked over and I realized I had accidently, spilt some of my latte from the morning before, which contains milk, and it had spoiled.

And it was in my car, stuck. And I had to go. I could not go and grab soap and clean, so I reached into the glove compartment, opened up an air freshener, and hung that bad boy up.

That sweet smelling air freshener didn’t clean up the spoiled milk. The air freshener did not shoe the stink out the window. The air freshener made the car bearable.

The car still had particles of disgusting milk in the air, but I could get through it, drive to work, and not cringe the whole time because the air freshener had changed the atmosphere.

In 2 Timothy, the Apostle Paul was awaiting his judgement and execution for his ministry ordained by God, but he reflects on someone who that no matter what, was there and remained unashamed to the end of his friendship with Paul. This man’s name was Onesiphorus and he is an incredible example of how we as Christians should live.

I once heard we as the Body of Christ should be thermostats, not thermometers. We need to be a people who live for change. But often times, change comes from those who refresh others.

Being someone who shares the Truth of the Gospel and encourages others, rarely ever changes the circumstances (Isaiah 40:31). Very rarely do they ever clean up the sour milk in their lives and the circumstances they drive through life in may stink.

But the Body of Christ is outlet to help make the world around others bearable. We should be a sweet smelling, Pillar of Truth who brings a message of change to a broken world (1 Timothy 3:15).

And we must realize that it is ok if we don’t change circumstances. But we can be a vessel of edification and refreshment to those in need.

You can be an air freshener by the grace and righteousness of God. You too can be an Onesiphorus!