Smoker Envy

I've always marveled at the dedication of a smoker. Rain, shine, sleet or hail... At a place I used to work, non-smokers protested the cloud of smoke at employee entrances, so smokers were relegated to a tent closer to the back of the parking lot. When I would drive in, I'd see the plume permeating the air.

So now, I still work with smokers. When it's raining, they still go out. When it's cold, they're troopers. In spite of the fact that I work in health care, smokers abound. So, of course I started thinking... Dangerous.

Smokers made me think of worship. They are loyal. Unashamed. Committed. No matter how they feel, the cigarette is not neglected. Regardless of weather conditions, the contract remains unchanged. The addiction reigns supreme.

While, I empathize with those who are addicted and wish to quit, I confess that I want to be more like that. I'm speaking of worship, by the way. I want to worship God totally unashamed, regardless of another's thoughts on it. I want my addiction to Jesus to reign so that His Spirit proceeds from my mouth for the world to see. I want to breathe Him in and speak His love to all who will hear. I want to be undaunted by weather or agendas. If the itch hits me, I want to respond immediately. I want His sweet fragrance exuded from me. I need to like a smoker.

Photo by Felixe