A NOSE FOR GOD

Just a normal day as a nurse’s assistant in the hospital. I walked the antiseptic green hallway of the orthopedic floor and smelled that awful odor once again.

I was just beginning to pay attention to the spirit of Christ within me and I could smell a killing cancer. At first I thought it was just a smell that came with the cancer, but when I asked, I found out that others couldn’t smell it. God was using my spiritual sense of smell to point out certain patients that needed special prayer and compassion.

What about our visual senses? I wanted to buy some new furniture. I prayed about it and I remember getting a mental picture (in color) of three pieces of furniture: two nice dark cherry chairs and a recliner in the same dark cherry with a leather seat. I kept seeing that picture every time I prayed for my furniture. It was the Lord’s way of assuring me that I could have it. In a couple of months I found it on sale and was able to buy all three pieces without going in debt.

What about hearing? People hear the voice of the Lord in several different ways. It can be an audible voice, seeming so natural that they look around to see who’s talking to them. When we hear the spirit speaking from within it can sound like our own voice or even the voice of someone we know. Often the Lord speaks to our spirit in a “still small voice” from deep within or we get a feeling of just knowing something that we hadn’t thought of ourselves.

A spiritual sense of taste? There are times when I've taken a taste of something and though it didn't annoy my taste buds, I knew I wasn't supposed to eat it. One time I got the message, but I took a couple extra bites anyway and felt bad all afternoon.

As for the spiritual sense of touch, there have been times when I've nearly jumped away from someone who wanted to touch me and pass on something bad. On the other hand, the spiritual sense of touch comes into play often when I minister healing to someone or pray with them.

The Christ in us will guide us and let us know the will of God in every situation. How does this work? Through the guidance of the written word and through the spiritual five senses we receive when we get born again and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 5:14 tells us “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” In other words, if we want to grow up as Christians we need to exercise our spiritual five senses. Any kind of exercise takes time and focus.

If we are willing, the Lord will teach us more about it. We will become more acutely aware of His presence, live on a higher spiritual level and be of more real help to those around us.

Love, Carolyn
P.S. Part 2 of my book WINGS: A Journey in Faith is available for free Sept 2-6 from Amazon:)