still contemplating tozer’s: the pursuit of God…
what a good and simple book.
it’s been so very good for me to simply be reminded of so many, “duh” type basics.
i went back to re-read some chapters on “Apprehending God” and “The Divine Presence”. just so good to be reminded of the basic christian truth that God is here with me right now. sure he’s everywhere, but that’s not the point for you and for me. the point is that he is where we are: he is there in the midst of our work, families, thoughts, struggles, joys, fears, whatever. God is never removed, held back at a distant by our ugly issues or struggles, like he couldn’t handle it. Tozer reminded me of ps. 139, which i went back to and is so good, that whole thought of where can i go to escape God? well we can’t…
Where can i go from your Spirit?
Where can i flee from your presence?
If i go up to the heavens you are there;
if i make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If i rise on the wings of the dawn,
if i settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
what a comfort that is. so often i feel so much like, “God, where are you!!!! Come here! Help me! Why do I feel so alone?!?!” but much of that thinking and feeling seems to be a result of a habitual way of thinking about God leading to feelings of loneliness and distance. when all the time God is there, waiting for me, calling for me, ready to interact, speak, listen, BE with me.
simple prayer at the end of the chapter…
O God, quicken to life every power within me, that I may lay hold on eternal things. Open my eyes that I may see; give me acute spiritual perception; enable me to taste Thee and know that Thou art good. Make heaven more real to me than any earthly thing has ever been.