Hello. I found this uplifting this morning and wanted to share it. So, using copy and paste I post it.

Unconscious Influence
September 22

Just as Horace Bushnell (1802–1876) began practicing law, he was converted, and, returning to Yale, he enrolled in divinity school and entered the ministry. Bushnell found sermons in texts where others saw none. His study of John 20:8, for example, led to this sermon entitled “Unconscious Influence.”

We must answer not only for what we do with purpose, but for the influence we exert. Men are ever touching unconsciously the springs of motion in each other; thus it is that one man, without thought or intention, is ever leading some after him. Little does Peter think as he goes straight into the sepulcher that he is drawing his brother apostle after him. Little does John think, when he loses his misgivings and goes after Peter, that he is following his brother.

Just so, unawares to himself, is every man laying hold of his fellow man to lead him where otherwise he would not go. A Peter leads a John, a John goes after a Peter, both of them unconscious of any influence exerted or received.

Thus our life and conduct are ever propagating themselves through the circles in which we live. The Bible calls the good man’s life a light, and it is the nature of light to flow out spontaneously in all directions and fill the world unconsciously with its beams. The Christian shines, not so much because he will, as because he is a luminous object. I verily believe that the insensible influences of good men are much more potent than their voluntary or active, as the great silent powers of nature are of greater consequence than her little disturbances and tumults.

The true philosophy of doing good is here explained. It is, first of all, to be good—to have a character. In order to act with effect on others, he must walk in the Spirit, he must be akin to God and so filled with His disposition that he shall seem to surround himself with a hallowed atmosphere.

And this, my brethren, is what God intends for you all.

Today’s Suggested Reading John 20:1–10

Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. John 20:8

Work cited...

Morgan, R. J. (2000, c1998). From this verse : 365 scriptures that changed the world (electronic ed.) (September 22). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Mercy outruns malice