Living In The Light

September 16, The Service Of Unconscious Influence

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.
—Colossians 3:12 LL 274.1

The life of Christ was an ever-widening, shoreless influence, an influence that bound Him to God and to the whole human family. Through Christ, God has invested humans with an influence that makes it impossible for them to live to themselves. Individually we are connected with our fellow human beings, a part of God’s great whole, and we stand under mutual obligations. No man or woman can be independent of their fellow human beings; for the well-being of each affects others. It is God’s purpose that each shall feel himself or herself necessary to others’ welfare, and seek to promote their happiness. LL 274.2

Every soul is surrounded by an atmosphere of its own—an atmosphere, it may be, charged with the life-giving power of faith, courage, and hope, and sweet with the fragrance of love. Or it may be heavy and chill with the gloom of discontent and selfishness, or poisonous with the deadly taint of cherished sin. By the atmosphere surrounding us, every person with whom we come in contact is consciously or unconsciously affected. LL 274.3

This is a responsibility from which we cannot free ourselves. Our words, our acts, our dress, our deportment, even the expression of the countenance, has an influence. Upon the impression thus made there hang results for good or evil which no person can measure. Every impulse thus imparted is seed sown which will produce its harvest. It is a link in the long chain of human events, extending we know not whither. If by our example we aid others in the development of good principles, we give them power to do good. In their turn they exert the same influence upon others, and they upon still others. Thus by our unconscious influence thousands may be blessed. LL 274.4

Throw a pebble into the lake, and a wave is formed, and another and another; and as they increase, the circle widens, until it reaches the very shore. So with our influence. Beyond our knowledge or control it tells upon others in blessing or in cursing.— Christ’s Object Lessons , pp. 339, 340. LL 274.5

Further Reflection: Does your facial expression and deportment communicate that you are a Christian who is loved by God, and who in turn loves all people? LL 274.6