This precious treasure-this light and power that now shine within us-is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies.Through suffering these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:7, 10 (NLT)

            We saw the storm coming as our family was enjoying an Easter spring afternoon.  Warnings had been issued and we knew what was on the way.  We were able to shelter a vehicle-and-a-half, but the rest of the cars were on their own.

            The storm moved in with a vengeance bringing wind and rain and hail-lots of hail.  It came in waves with hailstones the size of quarters until they nearly covered the ground.

            When the storm had passed, we went outside to assess the damage.  A fog covered the landscape, created by the cold, white chunks of ice interacting with the warmth and humidity.  There was also a fresh, familiar scent hanging noticeably in the air.  It was the aroma of evergreen.

            The hailstones had damaged the delicate greenery of the spruce trees that grow wild throughout the area.  The broken fronds and branches had released their fragrance and filled the air.  Trees that normally went unnoticed now made themselves undeniably known by the sweet, pleasant odor.  The damage released the delight to an extent otherwise impossible.

            It was appropriate that nature's parable would remind me of the spiritual reality it illustrates on an Easter afternoon.  For resurrection joy and power come from the brokenness and suffering of the cross.

            It is often so in our personal faith experience.  When we are pummeled by the hailstones of adversity something unexpected happens.  The fragrance of our faith is enhanced.

            You see, in our brokenness God is able to reshape and restore us.  In our suffering, God's faithful comfort and consolation are manifest.  In our weakness, God's power has room to work.  The fragrance of God-empowered faith is released and reaches into the lives of those who would otherwise never get close enough to experience him-so everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.  (4:7)

            This is no easy truth to embrace, and the apostle Paul, writer of the Corinthian letters, will not let us think it so.  It overwhelms us at times as we are pressed on every side by troubles. (4:8)  It confuses us as we are perplexed by how any good could ever come from our pain. (4:8)  It depletes us as we get emotionally and physically knocked down. (4:9)

            But in our brokenness Jesus is there, loving us in the midst of our pain, living his purpose in and through us, and renewing our souls when we think we can't go on. (4:10, 16)  As a result, the aroma of vital, authentic faith is unleashed into the world.

            The powerful fragrance of an enduring faith does not always offer the visible results we might hope for.  In fact, there are times when we wonder what's the use and give serious consideration of the option to give up and quit. (4:8)  That's when we must remember that, beyond the earthly imprint we make, there is something eternal happening.  From our pain is produced an immeasurably great glory that will last forever. (4:17)

            So breathe deep in your brokenness.  The scent of suffering is evergreen, evermore.