你散發何種香氣?

By: Robert J. Tamasy

我們經常憑眼見和耳聞得來的印象對一件事下判斷，但是我們的想法也會被鼻子所聞到的影響。例如，當我還是個小男孩的時候，我很喜歡蠟筆特殊的味道，因為對我來說那ㄧ個可以在畫畫本上用圖畫展現創意的機會。當我進入青少年時期之後，我的第一個女朋友擦一種很特別的香水，即使是多年之後，這種香味都會使我想起她。

我喜歡早晨咖啡的香味，因為它很能振奮精神；看電影的時候如果沒有充滿誘人香味的爆米花陪伴，就不算是一次完整的觀影經驗。而我所認識的每一個人都很欣賞新車那種「嶄新製造的車子」的味道。

工作場所也會有它們特別的味道。以前我在報業工作，工作完後，衣服上總會帶有油墨和新聞用紙獨特的味道。而當你經過一家餐廳時，附近盤旋的食物香味總是會引誘你去餐廳裡看看菜單。有一些工廠設備會有它製造出來產品或是製造過程的味道。

然而，你有沒有想過身為工商專業人士，我們的工作夥伴也會下意識察覺到我們有獨特的味道？我不是指除臭劑、髮膠香水那一種味道。我指的是一種人格特質的香氣-是一種當我們進到一個房間或是參加會議時，伴隨在我們四周的「氛圍」。是樂觀的或是消極的？有活力的或是使人昏昏欲睡的？熱烈急切的或是勉強的？

我們個人的信念系統也可能會影響我們投射給人的香味。聖經中使徒保羅說：「感謝神！常率領我們在基督裏誇勝，並藉著我們在各處顯揚那因認識基督而有的香氣」(哥林多後書2章14節)。意思是說，跟隨耶穌的人，無論他們在職場的哪一個地方就是耶穌的代表。思考下面的話語：

我們是神的使節 就像是一個外國的使節在世界的其他地方代表他的或是她的國家，跟隨耶穌的人對不認識耶穌的人來說，就是一個外國使節。這可能是好的或是壞的，因為就像一個不好的使節會給人他的國家也是不好的印象，一個虛偽或是不一致的耶穌跟隨者，也會給人耶穌就是那樣的印象。「所以，我們作基督的使者，就好像神藉我們勸你們一般。我們替基督求你們與神和好。」(哥林多後書5章20節)

我們是神的銷售員 最好的銷售員就是最滿意的顧客-一個已經使用過產品，並且認同它服務和好處的人。同樣的道理，跟隨耶穌的人是最有資格的說耶穌在他們生命中的意義以及可能對別人的意義的人。「所以，我們作基督的使者，就好像神藉我們勸你們一般。我們替基督求你們與神和好。」(哥林多後書5章20節)

我們是神的分界線 無論我們說了什麼或做了什麼，不是每個人都會正面地回應跟隨耶穌的人以及為基督而活的人。我們所能做的就是盡可能真實地有信心地活著，讓他人自由選擇如何回應。「因為我們在神面前，無論在得救的人身上或滅亡的人身上，都有基督馨香之氣」。(哥林多後書2章15節) 」

最重要的是，對那些拒絕耶穌基督的人來說，绊跌人的是耶穌，而不是那些跟隨他的人。就如經上所記：「我在錫安放一塊絆腳的石頭，跌人的磐石；信靠他的人必不至於羞愧。」(羅馬書9章33節)

Robert J. Tamasy是領袖遺產通訊的副總裁。這是一個總部在美國喬治亞州亞特蘭大的非營利性組織 。他也是一個有38年經驗的退休專業新聞工作者。著有:商業藝術: 今日職場中永恆的箴言智慧 ，並和David A. Stoddard,合著良師益友的心:十個培養人們全備潛能的原則。更多資訊詳見www.leaderslegacy.com 或上他的部落格www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.

思想 / 討論題目
你最喜歡的味道或是香味是什麼? 它們最常引起你哪一些想法、情緒或是記憶？ 你是否可以想到有一些在你工作職場上的人，他們似乎是帶著特定的香味，會引起你或是其他人正面或是負面的立即的反應？解釋你的答案。 對於一些人們信靠和用以溝通的屬靈信念，它們對人是否也有心理學上如同香氣的影響力？對此你如何回應？ 如果你是耶穌的跟隨者，哪一些香氣是其他人從你身上察覺到的？你覺得自己是耶穌的大能使節嗎？解釋原因。 如果你不是耶穌的跟隨者，也許只是好奇想知道更多關於他的事，或甚至你是一個不可知論者。你從那些宣稱信耶穌的人身上注意到什麼種香氣？
附註: 如果你有聖經，想知道更多有相關的經節可以參考:哥林多前書3:6-13;以弗所書5:2; 腓利比書1:9-12, 4:18;彼得前書2:8

WHAT KIND OF “FRAGRANCE” DO YOU EXHIBIT?

By: Robert J. Tamasy

We often receive impressions and reach conclusions based on things we see and hear, but our thinking also can be influenced by what we smell. As a boy, for instance, I always enjoyed the distinctive smell of crayons. To me, that meant an opportunity to be creative with pictures in a coloring book. As a teenager, my first girlfriend wore a particular kind of perfume, and for years afterward I was reminded of her whenever I smelled a similar fragrance.

I love the smell of coffee in the morning and find it invigorating. No movie theater experience would be complete for me without the alluring smell of popcorn, and I do not know anyone that cannot appreciate the “new car smell” of a newly manufactured automobile.

Workplaces often have distinctive smells and odors as well. When I was in the newspaper business, there was a unique smell of ink and newsprint that I carried home on my clothes at the end of the day. When you walk past a restaurant, aromas of food hovering nearby tempt you to go inside and inspect the menu. Some manufacturing facilities are known for the smells of their products and the processes they use.

But did you ever think that as business and professional people, we also have unique “fragrances” coworkers notice, if only subconsciously? I am not referring to deodorant (or the lack of it), hairspray, or cologne. What I mean is the fragrance of our personality – the “air” that accompanies us as we enter a room or arrive for a meeting. Are we enthusiastic or morose? Optimistic or pessimistic? Energetic or lethargic? Eager or reluctant?

It may be that our personal belief system also can affect the “fragrance” we project to others. In the Bible, it says through His followers, God “spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him” (2 Corinthians 2:14). That means followers of Jesus Christ, wherever they go in the workplace, serve as His representatives. Consider the ramifications of this:

We are God”s ambassadors. Just as a foreign ambassador represents his or her nation in another part of the world, followers of Jesus serve as His “ambassadors” to people who do not yet know Him. This can be both good and bad, because just as a poor ambassador gives a bad impression of his country, a hypocritical or inconsistent follower of Jesus can present a poor impression of Him to others. “We are therefore Christ”s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us…” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

We are God”s “salespeople.” The best salesperson for any product is a “satisfied customer,” someone that has used and appreciated the product or service and its benefits. In a similar way, those who follow Jesus are best equipped to speak to what He has meant in their lives and what He can mean for others. “…We implore you on Christ”s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

We are God”s dividing line. Not everyone is going to respond favorably to those who follow and live for Jesus Christ, no matter what is said or done. All we can do is live as genuinely and faithfully as possible, and let others respond as they choose. “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life” (2 Corinthians 2:15).

The important thing is that for those that reject Jesus, He must be the cause of offense, not those who follow Him. “Behold I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense (Jesus), and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame” (Romans 9:33).

Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. A veteran of more than 38 years in professional journalism, he is the author of Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace (River City Press) and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring: 10 Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential (NavPress). For more information, see www.leaderslegacy.com or go to his online blog, www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.

Reflection/Discussion Questions
What are some of your most favorite smells or fragrances? What thoughts, emotions or memories do these typically arouse in you? Can you think of any individuals where you work that seem to carry a certain “fragrance” with them, causing an instant reaction in you or others – positive or negative? Explain your answer. How do you respond to the concept that the spiritual beliefs people live by and communicate can have the same effect on others as physical fragrances – or odors? If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, what kind of “fragrance” do you think others detect from you? Do you think you are an effective ambassador for Him? Why or why not? If you are not a follower of Jesus – perhaps someone just curious to learn more about Him, or even an agnostic – what kind of fragrances have you noticed from people who claim to believe in Him?NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to review some other passages that relate to this topic, consider the following verses: 1 Corinthians 3:6-13; Ephesians 5:2, 6:20; Philippians 1:9-12, 4:18; 1 Peter 2:8