Pursuit of God

This week I began reading A.W. Tozer’s Pursuit of God. Written in the 1940’s and esteemed as a Christian classic, I was sure I wouldn’t really like it all that much. I am pleased to report that thus far I am completely wrong!

My Kindle tells me I am only 21% of the way through the book, but already I can tell why this is held in such high regard. And it’s so very relevant to life in 2011. The language used by Tozer is quite provocative and evokes such emotion that it makes me not want to just read the text, but to READ it. To say/hear it out loud with as much emphasis as I put on it in my head. It’s really cool. In case you can’t tell…I would definitely recommend it.

Here’s a snippet of the book that I read this morning. You can certainly see how this applies to my life right now as I prepare to leave for China in three days! I have used the verbiage of wanting to “cling” to my family so they won’t leave me…not so crazy sounding. But I think they may have a bit more of a hold on me than they should…a spot that needs to belongs to my Creator.

“There can be no doubt that this possessive clinging to things is one of the most harmful habits in the life. Because it is so natural it is rarely recognized for the evil that it is; but its outworkings are tragic.

We are often hindered from giving up our treasures to the Lord out of fear for their safety; this is especially true when those treasures are loved relatives and friends. But we need have no such fears. Our Lord came not to destroy but to save. Everything is safe which we commit to Him, and nothing is really safe which is not so committed.”

It’s what I’ve been saying over and over to myself and in my Bible reading…and here’s even more confirmation. This word definitely spoke right to my heart today. Thanks God!