You know those books that you just can't seem to put down? The kind that seem to have stolen the thoughts right out of your mind? I am in the middle of reading a book that is rocking my world- "The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer (1897-1963). How could someone who died two decades before I was born know me so well?
One critic summed this books up in his review- "Through all of Tozer's books and articles there shines a passion for God that puts our shallowness to shame, and reading him is like drinking at an oasis in the desert." (J.I. Packer)
My college roommate, Natalie (Nat-a-Tat), sent me this book last week. And I am forever grateful b/c it is reminding me that "to seek God does not narrow one's life, but brings it, rather, to the highest possible level of fulfillment." The book dwells on the fact that "The continuous and unembarrassed interchange of love and thought between God and the human soul of the redeemed man is the throbbing heart of New Testament religion." In simple terms, being a "Christian" is not about tradition or religiosity or even about doing the right thing. The core of being a believer in Christ is having a relationship that allows His love to flow in and through us. If the world saw Christianity like that, they might want to know our Christ.
My words cannot do this piece of literature justice, so I will share a few excerpts that have gone straight to my heart-
"Thou has formed us for thyself and our hearts are restless until they find rest in thee." (St. Augustine)
"Now he (God) wants to show himself in ravishing fullness to the humble of soul and the pure in heart." [don't we all want to be known and loved by others- especially God?]
"Right now we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us."
"We sense that the call is for us, but still we fail to draw near, and the years pass and we grow old and tired in the outer courts of the tabernacle." [we become content with not really knowing God]
And, finally, to sum it up, here is an excerpt that speaks to me about the time that I have spent in the past (and continue to spend at times still) focusing on my shortcomings and resisting God's reach for me-
"God formed us for His pleasure, and so formed us that we, as well as He, can, in divine communion, enjoy the sweet and mysterious mingling of kindred personalities. He meant us to see Him and live with Him and draw our life from His smile. But we have been guilty of that "foul revolt" of which Milton speaks when describing the rebellion of Satan and his hosts. We have broken with God. We have ceased to obey Him or love Him, and in guilt or fear have fled as far away as possible from His presence."
Not trying to preach this Sunday a.m.:), just sharing some thoughts and revelations that are reminding me what is most important in life- to know and love God with all of my heart and to show others that same love.
God bless yall!