Olfactory Awareness:

   As an undergraduate I dabbled with it, but it wasn’t until I was in seminary that I really became hooked on it. Incense.
    A friend in college, who was a vegan, always very spiritual, but not really Christian, turned me onto it.  She would burn it in her dorm room, despite the rules against burning in such confined spaces, and whenever I entered, there was a serenity that seemed to settle on those in that space.  The smell of ancient meditation engulfed us, and it became a sacred space.
    I learned about meditation in seminary, and my Spirituality professor shared with us that the use of incense is an integral part of Christian spirituality history.  That even before Christ, those in the synagogues would burn incense to offer pleasing scents to God, but also as a reminder that God is in the very air we breath.  That when we take in the smell, we are reminded that we take in God, then breathe God out again.  Ever since then, I’ve always had incense on hand.
    Every morning at the office, I begin with quiet time...and incense.  As soft music plays, and I share in the daily meditation of www.d365.org , I light a candle or two and from the light of God light pencil thin sticks coated with natural herbs mixed to the right proportion, let them burn a bit then blow them out.  From the burning embers wafts forth fragrance and smoke.  The smoke curls with the moving air in circles, winding it’s way toward candle light and wrapping around my computer monitor.
    With the smoke come the unique and powerful smells, a comfort for me since my mind and soul associate it with time with God.  As it washes over me the Spirit comes over me as well, and I settle into the presence of holiness.  I am reminded that God is in the air I breathe and in all things.

    They say that our olfactory system is the most powerful system in the body when it comes to memory.  That which we smell can trigger emotion, memory, and response, and through our olfactory systems we can become aware.  We can become more aware of where we have come from, where we are, and where we are going.  We can become more aware of the Truth that we are not alone.  We can become aware of God’s grace and love.
    I did a search of the Bible, and there are 136 references to “incense” in the Old Testament, most of which reference offering incense as something pleasing to God, which implies a desired connection on God’s part with us.  As I think about how smells affect us, I can’t help but reflect upon how maybe the same is true with God.  After all, if we are offering smells up to God, God must surely take them in, and a world of emotions, memories, and responses come to life.  Maybe God becomes more aware of where we have come from, where we are and where we are going.  Maybe God is reminded again that we need God’s love and grace every day.  That we need God to be in the air we breathe...

    When Jesus was on the earth, he made a promise which was later fulfilled.  He said, “I will send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to be with you.”  On Pentecost that promise came true, and God’s Spirit has enveloped the earth, and what is amazing to me, is that that same Spirit envelopes us. 
    Have you ever felt alone?  Ever felt like God has abandoned you?  Ever felt like everyone has abandoned you?  Maybe what you need is a little ‘olfactory awareness’?  A reminder of the presence, life, and love of God which washes over all of us, all the time.

    If you do, it might stir up some memories for you, and it MAY stir up some memories for God.  Offerings do that, and often God and people are changed by what is offered.