He Comes First: Putting God before Essential Oils

When I first started exploring essential oils more seriously, I became immediately enthralled with the world of aromatics. I mean, there's something so compelling and just plain lovely about using God's creation to support health and life in our homes and families. Let me tell you just how pumped I was about this healing modality.

It wasn't too long ago. I was at a fair with my husband and kids, and I'd found a somewhat secluded bench in the shade where I could nurse my baby. But something interrupted my peaceful little break. A woman with two small children was yelling at her husband.

"I DON'T CARE!" she screamed, visibly agitated. As he stood there cringing, holding on to one of the girls' hands, I tensed, then had an immediate internal reaction. Want to know what it was? That woman could use some Stress Away! And, If only she knew about lavender! My mind was flooded with what essential oils I'd use to create a product or synergy for her, and which ones had the right properties for her anger and stress.

Yikes.

There's a part of me that laughs at how ridiculous my thoughts were, but in that moment I also knew to take my reaction seriously, because the first thing I should think of is her need of a savior.

My faith has serious transforming power, as I take my sins and selfish heart to Christ daily in exchange for his grace. I have to share a couple of quick verses on this topic.

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
-2 Corinthians 3:18

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
-Romans 12:2

I think for those of us who find ourselves so in love with aromatherapy, it's easy to place it on a pedestal and turn to it before God. And that's creating an idol.

I was really grateful for my internal reaction to the woman I saw that day, because it drove me back to my savior. Now I know to keep myself in check, and each time I reach for essential oils, I make sure I've prayed first.

If I'm looking to ease for some sort of ailment, I pray for God to heal. If there's some emotional imbalance I'd like to address, I ask for God to do the transforming work. If I'm a little unsure of which oil to use, I pray for guidance. If I'm cleaning or simply refreshing the air, I pray too, that God would be present in the mundane and give me a servant's heart.

Essential oils have a lot of powerful properties because God made them that way. He's the creator of all things and obviously so much more powerful than anything he made. God is the ultimate healer. He's the first one I want to turn to, while the oils support the work he's already doing. There is no substance in the world that can heal, forgive, renew, and transform like God. He works through these gifts he's given us, through every single drop of lavender, and I'm so glad he does.