“Unnoticed influence has the most profound influence, since it is the quiet work of the Holy Spirit.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 7, 2022
Whoever believes in me [Jesus], as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:38-39, ESV
Don’t you admire followers of Jesus who quietly influence others out of the overflow of their intimate love relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Not only do they not need credit for their wisdom and grace, they don’t even notice the extent and impact of their humble life. Rivers of life flow from their life in Christ…Charles Spurgeon reflects on this, “Even so, the genuine Christian just goes about flooding the world with blessings, and so far from claiming attention for himself, it may be that he is unconscious of what he is bringing about…Oh, the blessed spontaneity of the work of grace when a man gets into the fullness of it, for then he seems to eat and drink and sleep eternal life, and he spreads a savor of salvation all around.”
Jesus explains to His disciples that the Spirit had not yet been given in the manner of indwelling believers. The Holy Spirit’s role had been to come upon believers to empower them for God’s purposes, but once Jesus was glorified, the Holy Spirit would come into the spirit of all who would believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. And like rivers of living water, He says, the Spirit will gush out of the hearts of surrendered followers. With spontaneity and forceful volume, cool water will come to refresh and invigorate other thirsty souls. With a quiet rush flow rivers of love.
“But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14, ESV).
Oswald Chambers gets to the heart of the matter as he describes unnoticed influence, “Who are the people who have influenced us most? 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. We always know when Jesus is at work because He produces in the commonplace something that is inspiring.” Unnoticed influence has the most profound influence as it is the quiet work of the Holy Spirit.
How do you grow your life’s capacity to bless others with rivers of refreshing water? Jesus says believe. Believe the Lord is the source of living water that flows freely through a surrendered life. It’s not working harder to be noticed, but instead giving freely without expecting anything in return. Unnoticed influence is content being behind the scenes of blessing. You may generously bless someone and only God and your friend affirm your heart of love. Unnoticed on earth, but recognized with rejoicing in heaven. Abide in rivers of living water in the Spirit, as intimate love floods out…your unnoticed influence on others will refresh their soul.
“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants” (Isaiah 44:3).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me the humility to surrender to your Spirit, so my life can bless and refresh others, through Christ’s love and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
In what situation do I need to let go of the need to be noticed?
Related Reading
Proverbs 18:4; Acts 2:16-18; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:14
Worship Resource
Bryan & Katie Torwalt: Holy Spirit
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