This month, write out a Passover Psalm to praise God for salvation (Psalm 68), note how superior to idols God is (Psalm 115), share in the hope for Restoration (Isaiah 35), and join in ascribing glory to God in His power over nature (Psalm 29).
In the northern hemisphere, October is associated with the smell of pumpkin pie, applesauce, the warm earthy smell of fallen leaves and drying grasses.
Have you ever thought what the Temple area might have smelled like? The smell of burning wood and animal, the smell of blood, but then a whiff of incense drifting out from the holy place, the high priest himself also smelling of sweet spices. To God, both of these smells were pleasing – the odour of sacrifice and the odour of restored relationship. But there were times when He refused to smell the offerings because they were not offered sincerely or for the right reasons.
Smells are often very closely associated with memories. The olfactory system is right next to the hippocampus and the amygdala, the memory and emotion centres of the brain. Because of this our sense of smell gives us a connection to our past and present. This can mean that those who lose their sense of smell can feel dislocated and adrift. Not all smells connect to good memories of course, but studies have shown that it may be possible to train ourselves to feel safe with certain odours which can help with the anxiety and flashbacks of bad memories.
At the end of the Jewish sabbath, there is a tradition of passing around a box of spices to smell which symbolizes the sweetness of the sabbath which will hopefully carry into the next week. Paul tells us that we must become the perfume of the world: “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?” (2 Corinthians 2:14-16 NASB)
Notice Creation!
This month, take time to notice the fragrances of Creation. As well, pay attention to the following:
- Set out a birdfeeder and notice who comes to visit. Make sure you keep it clean and filled up regularly.
- Listen specifically for birds outside. How many can you recognize?
- Look for lost feathers on the ground. Notice how beautiful and complex they are.
- Look for bird nests in the trees. Learn about the birds that live in your area and the kind of nests that they build.
- What birds are permanent residents in your area, and what birds migrate through? Pick a bird that migrates and learn about its flight path.
