Rich Personalities

The greatest force for good is a Christ-like personality. Phillips Brooks defined great preaching as "truth through personality." A distinguished educator declared the greatest thing a teacher could bring to his pupil was not subject matter but the inspiration that comes from heart contact with a wholesome personality.

Along this line minister and columnist John R. Gunn writes, "Through the years of my pastoral ministry I came to know many people who wielded a powerful and uplifting influence, not so much because of anything they said or did but rather because of what they were.

There was something fine and inspiring in their personalities; just being with them lifted one's thoughts to a higher level, strengthened his faith, and made life seem more worthwhile and heaven a surer heritage.

The power of personality is a marvelous thing. We find an example in the way God used Samuel to save David from Saul's wrath. David, you remember, sought refuge with Samuel when Saul tried to kill him. Saul then sent his messengers to take David but they were confronted by Samuel and were stopped in their efforts by the tremendous influence of his divinely inspired personality.

The story reveals the power of a great soul. But we must not feel we cannot wield a great influence simply because God has not given it to us to be a great prophet like Samuel or a great preacher like Phillips Brooks.

If we will let the spirit of God possess our souls, we will be great souls breathing into others a great influence. The spirit of God can touch the dull clay of our nature and make it a radiant personality, Christ-like in its beauty and warmth.

Let us close with this passage from First Samuel: "Saul sent messengers to take David, but they saw the company of prophets prophesying and Samuel standing, as appointed over them, the spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul and they also prophesied."