It Is By Living A Beautiful Life, That We Bless The World.

 powerful, silent, personal influence

(J.R. Miller)

There is a powerful, silent, 
personal influence, like a shadow,
which emanates from everyone--
and this influence is always
leaving results wherever
it touches another person.
You cannot live a day--
and not touch some other
life with this influence.

Wherever you go, your
shadow falls on others--
and they are either better
or worse for your presence.

Our influence depends
upon what we are--
more than upon what we do.
It is by living a beautiful life,
that we bless the world.

I do not underestimate good works.
Good deeds must characterize
every true life. But if your life 
itself is noble, beautiful, holy,
Christlike, one that is itself
a blessing and an inspiration--
then the worth of your influence
is multiplied many times!

There is not a Christian who
cannot preach sermons every day,
at home and among neighbors
and friends most eloquently--
by the beauty of holiness
in his or her own everyday life.

Wherever a Christian goes--
his life ought to be an inspiration.
Our silent influence ought to touch
other lives with blessing. People
ought to feel stronger, happier,
and more uplifted--
after meeting us.

Our very faces ought to shed
light, shining like holy lamps
into sad, weary hearts.
Our lives ought to be blessings
to repair human sorrow and
need all around us.

    ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems has published William Steven's precious short article, "The Loveliness of Christ!"