Are You Aromatic?
Photo Credit
I came home early today and engaged in an hour of purely selfish enjoyment: I watched the Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network.
I know I’ll probably never cook up any of the complicated dishes that Ina Garten whips up with expert ease, but I just love watching her say “How easy is that?” as she puts together Coeur a la Crème. (I am not sure I even know how to pronounce that!).
On this episode, the master chef was creating an Italian meal for a friend who was a connoisseur in olive oils. I watched mesmerized as Ina and her pal participated in an oil tasting. In the bottles, the liquid aromatics appeared the same, but as the culinary gourmet sampled each oil, she highlighted their unique aroma, texture, and taste.
What grabbed my attention was when the expert explained how the best tasting olive oil is pressed immediately after harvesting.
It’s amazing how crushing impacts overall effectiveness, I thought. And, suddenly, I was no longer thinking about an olive oil.
My crushing has created a more savory life.
I’m less willful and impatient today than I was before God’s sovereign will allowed life to press down on me.
Just like Ina Garten, I’ve learned that no two flavors are alike. My spiritual flavor quotient increases as I surrender and let God squeeze out the selfish.
You may ask: How easy is that? Are you aromatic?
Today, my life will be more flavorful if I choose to
- Press in to God and let go of my personal agenda.
- Press in to serving others and stop demanding my way.
- Press in to sacrificial giving, rather than submitting to my foolhardy flesh.
I’m going to keep pressing into the Master. He always creates spectacular fare.
Something to think about…
This is so true, Lyli. The pressing moments of our lives surely produce the sweetest fragrance…we can’t see that at the moment, but “nevertheless afterwards” it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness in our lives. Thank you for this beautiful perspective and for the link-up. God bless you, my friend. 🙂
Lyli, I love how you craft such short, compelling posts! I want to press in to God, and press in to serving Him and others today! Thank you.
Hey Lyli … you’re bringing to mind 2 Corinthians 4:8 early this morning … ‘We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair …’
May all that weighs so heavy serve only to release the power of His Spirit from within …
Blessings, friend.
I think my only aroma of late may be a stink. ha. So I needed to read this today, Lyli: “It’s amazing how crushing impacts overall effectiveness.” May the Lord continue crushing everything out of me that isn’t of Him, until I become a sweet aroma.
I absolutely love the practicality of your words, only they are more than practical… they always carry eternal truths. 🙂 It is funny how our perspective of everything changes when the we exchange the weight of the world for the weight of grace, isn’t it?
Bless you friend,
Dawn
Hey Lyli,
What an awesome lesson from olive oil. “My spiritual flavor quotient increases as I surrender and let God squeeze out the selfish.” Very well said, and a beautiful reminder to stay surrendered to God. Wishing you a blessed week!
Wow, Lyli! This is so true! When we come to the end our ourselves and are “crushed”, God accomplishes the biggest work in our lives! I’ve experienced a time or two of this crushing…and each time, I’ve come out better than going in. So thankful for our God!
Blessings, Joan
Beautiful post & thoughts today, Lyli!
What a good way to look at things! I like the idea of being aromatic. The pressing is not always pleasant, but how good to have a sweet aroma.
Thanks so much for hosting! I’m grateful to be here today.
I always love the visual of crushed olives. There’s so much to be gleaned from every activity God has put into motion, isn’t there? Though provoking, indeed. I loved this. For me, looking back at painful times of pressing encourages me during agonizing seasons in life. I’m able to look with confidence to the Lord, and hang on to Jesus, as He presses another thorn out of my heart.
Happy Thursday!
Megs
Lyle, what great take away from a cooking show and olive oils! I love the thought that His squeezing me out of my comfort zone will eventually produce a pleasing aroma! Thank you!
Pressing in to God, to serving, to giving — those words just grabbed me. Don’t you love how God teaches us lessons from simple things? Yet the truth has so many layers and depth.
This is excellent, Lyli! I love when the Lord shows us something so powerful from a casual moment which did not seem spiritual at all when it began. I was reminded of an experience my husband and I had a few years ago at a winery in our area that had featured an olive oil company offering samples and pairings with various vinegars. It was quite eye opening to me. We have tried several of them, but the array of options was enormous. We settled on one particular favorite that we use often: Tuscan Herb Olive Oil combined with Reserved White Lemon Balsamic Vinegar……delightfully light and fresh! I love being reminded of how often the Lord shows us something unexpected!
A beautiful analogy. Then we become the fragrant oil poured out over the Lord’s feet when we worship!
I love your analogy! “I’m going to keep pressing into the Master. He always creates spectacular fare.” AMEN to that! Blessings to you Lyli!
What a great take away, Lyli! God has given you a unique gift, my friend, of finding little nuggets of His truth in everyday things. I am blessed every time I visit here. Blessings on your day!
Hi Lyli,
This was my first visit to your link-up! Thank you for hosting! What a lovely place you have here 🙂 I look forward to following along more and getting to know you!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
I’ve never considered the olive oil pressing in that way. The first pressing yields the highest quality oil, and you can tell by it’s scent, flavor and color–sweet connection between that, and the shades, flavors and scents we display as Christians. 🙂