T he New Testament notices things that do not seem worthy of notice by our standards. Blessed are the poor in spirit . . . . At the foundation of Jesus Christ's kingdom is the genuine loveliness of those who are commonplace. I am truly blessed in my poverty. The true character of the loveliness that speaks for God is always unnoticed by the one possessing that quality.
Conscious influence is prideful and unchristian.
If I wonder if I am being of any use to God, I instantly lose the beauty and the freshness of the touch of the Lord. And if I examine the outflow, I lose the touch of the Lord. Certainly not the ones who thought they did, but those who did not have even the slightest idea that they were influencing us. In the Christian life, godly influence is never conscious of itself. If we are conscious of our influence, it ceases to have the genuine loveliness which is characteristic of the touch of Jesus.