How long would you ride in a car to go see a flower? I recently drove for over an hour to see the largest compound flower. A compound flower is a flower head made up of many tiny individual flowers, called florets, packed closely together, like a sunflower. However this was not a sunflower, but a corpse flower! The “titan arum," or “corpse flower,” is native to the rainforests of Sumatra, but is often grown in greenhouses by universities and botanic gardens. This plant produces a spadix (like a spike) that can grow up to 10 feet (3 m) tall. The spadix is surrounded by a red petal-like spathe that clothes the plant in beauty.

Approaching the flower, I expected to smell a foul odor. I didn’t know what it would smell like, but I knew it wouldn’t be pleasant like a rose or lilac. The University of Sewanee had advertised this bloom and invited the public to learn about the plant. An educational guide was there to share about the plant and answer questions. To show that the flower is made up of many florets, the botanist cut a small window in the plant so we could see inside. Through this opening, we could glimpse hundreds of tiny flowers waiting to be pollinated.

Drawing close to the spadix, I inhaled the odor. It smelled like stinky fish. As I listened to the educator, I noticed a Common Green Bottle Fly land on the flower. It had been deceptively drawn to the scent, thinking it was something that had died. The plant may be stinky to us, but its unique aroma attracts the pollinators it needs.

2 Corinthians 2:15 says, “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing”.

There are many wonderful smells, or aromas, in the world. Baked bread, lavender flowers, campfires, and the ocean are some of my favorites. What are some of your favorite smells? The aroma of Christ in our lives is not a smell that we can breathe in. Rather, it is something that is lived and shows that Christ is in our hearts.

 

The Spirit of God creates that aroma within us. It comes out of our mouths as kind words, is seen in thoughtful actions, and demonstrates gentleness and patience with others. Jesus showed us how to love others and how to live a life as a fragrant offering to God. What is one way you can spread the aroma of Christ this week?

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)

Dear God, I surrender my heart to you. Create an aroma in my life that pleases you and encourages others.

Fun Fact:

The largest individual flower in the world is also found in the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo. It is commonly called “monster flower” because it can grow 3 feet (0.9 m) wide weighing up to 24 pounds (10 kg).

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