The unconscious influences of our lives

(J.R. Miller, "Evening Thoughts" 1907)

"After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." 1 Kings 19:12

It is not in noise that God usually reveals Himself in greatest power. He works silently, without noise.

Jesus was a still small voice in this world. He did not strive nor cry out; neither was His voice heard in the streets. He did not break a bruised reed, so gentle was He in His goings and in His workings. Yet that one sweet, quiet life, pouring forth its spirit of love and tenderness, wrought more than has been wrought by all the armies of conquerors since the world began!

In the same way, it is the silent things, the unconscious influences of our lives, which make the deepest and most lasting impressions — and not the things which get advertised in the papers, and are most talked about.

If we would be effective in our work, we must learn to work quietly.

The greatest preacher is the one who most deeply impresses men, in matters that affect their living and serving, inciting and inspiring them to worthy deeds and beautiful godly living. The best Christian workers are those who make the least noise. We never can do our best work if we have not learned to work quietly, for Christ glory, and not for our own exaltation.