Beef Jerky

On the way home from a family wedding last summer, I took a detour to visit Kohler-Andrae State Park in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The park is one of the prettiest ones I have visited to date. It is located on the Western shore of Lake Michigan and sited in such a manner, that when you look in any direction you only see water, sky, sand and trees. The weather that day was perfect - mid to upper 70’s and sunny - and it was early enough in the day that the crowds of nature lovers hadn’t completed their trek to this glorious place. We strolled along the lakeshore on a miles-long sand beach just soaking in the beauty of the bright blue sky, brilliant blue water, and wind sculpted sand dunes. We stirred up a large flock of seagulls, real seagulls not that 80’s band with the crazy hair. As the birds took flight and sought refuge in the water, it looked like a mid-morning fireworks display. I couldn’t help but think how God’s creation never ceases to amaze. When they returned en masse to the beach after we passed, we were treated to an encore performance.

After walking several miles along the shore, we decided that it was time to head back toward our car. We walked back to the parking lot by way of a wooden boardwalk, referred to as a cordwalk. It is a series of deck boards held together by steel cables and just laid over the dunes. Its’ twofold purpose is to make the walk easier and protect the dunes from erosion due to foot traffic. We went up and down numerous dunes with an occasional stand of pines providing a little shade and fresh pine scent. We found ourselves deliberately walking slower and slower, squeezing every moment we could out of the place. Even though we had a long drive ahead of us, we were in no hurry. On the slow walk back, we would occasionally pass a person or two, but as the sun climbed higher into the sky, our private party was suddenly interrupted.

From around the bend, a long line of people appeared on the walkway. It was a group of half-awake teenage boys with three-quarter-awake adult chaperones. As they shuffled past in single file, one of the adults would grunt back a good morning, and as quickly as they came upon us, they were gone. Yet their presence lingered. One of my boys asked me, “Did you smell that?” I knew what he was referring to, but I still asked, “What?” He answered back, “Those people smelled like beef jerky.” They sure did! Only a few steps more and we were at an intersection leading to either the parking lot or the group campground. It seemed obvious to me that they had just come from the group campsite area of the park. Being in such close proximity to a campfire, even if for one night, would have been enough for all of them to be sporting the coveted scent of Wood Smoke No. 5. It’s a sweet, yet acidic fragrance with a little hint of - you guessed it - beef jerky. To some the aroma evokes wonderful memories in the woods with friends and family; to others it reminds them of why they invested a lot of money on air cleaners. Cough! Hack! Wheeze!

This chance encounter brought a passage of scripture to my mind. The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 how believers are a “Christ-like” fragrance which is perceived differently by those they encounter. I have given thought that this “fragrance” is imparted to believers in the same way the campfire smell is given to campers. It is by simply being in the presence of the fire. So in a supernatural sense, I am made fragrant by my proximity to God, the All Consuming Fire, by way of the Altar of the ultimate sacrifice, Christ’s cross. God has taught me that there is no pressure on me in how other people experience the supernatural aroma. He tells me in His word that some will like what they “smell” and others won’t. Their reaction is less about me and more an indication of their relationship with God. I was really encouraged by these words.

I have learned that it is important spending time in God’s presence, letting him impact me in the manner He sees fit, and then let the Holy Spirit take it from that point. It turns out that it doesn’t matter how my “Christ-like” fragrance is perceived by those I meet along my path back home; what’s important is that I have it. I’m grateful that God has generously made room for me by His fire. There’s a spot by His fire for you too.

Grace to you.

Dave Paukner