Are you familiar with musk deer? I wasn't - or at least I don't think I was (it's so hard to tell anymore if I never knew something or have just forgot that I once knew).
Anyway, apparently musk deer aren't really even deer. But we've likely all heard about a certain gland they have. You can read more about them here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musk_deer
I bring all this up because Tara Brach shared this story of the musk deer recently. I kind of like it.
A favorite story I often share is of a Musk Deer who, very early in her life, began to notice this heavenly scent in the air. Intoxicated by this divine aroma, she set out to find the source. She searched the depths of every forest, smelled around every tree, every blade of grass and still couldn't discover where this scent was coming from. She remained determined because the scent was so glorious she knew deep down that she would be profoundly happy once she finally found it.
She spent her whole life searching, and one day, fell exhausted onto the forest floor. As she fell, one of her horns pierced her own belly. Suddenly the air was overwhelmingly flooded with this divine heavenly scent. After a lifetime of searching, in the final moments of her precious life, she realized the scent was coming from her all along.
"For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God."
1 comment:
If you do find that one place, let me know. I would definitely like to live there with you.
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