Be Still

In my pursuit of knowing God better, I have been greatly encouraged by the “extra” written works I’ve used along with the Bible itself.

(The Bible is, of course, primary; additional reading is supplementary and regarded as such.)

I am, however, an eclectic ‘devotions’ person, often having a variety of books that I read along with my regular Bible reading.
I’ve been repeatedly challenged, instructed, convicted, and moved to worshipful tears by the careful words of fellow God-lovers articulating their journey.
My recent selection is written by one from 50+ years past, yet his passion and pursuit of God ring true to my 21st century heart and mind.

May I share an excerpt from a recent chapter?

“This is definitely not the hour when men take kindly to an exhortation to listen, for listening is not today a part of popular religion. We are at the opposite end of the pole from there. Religion has accepted the monstrous heresy that noise, size, activity and bluster make a man dear to God. But we may take heart. To a people caught in the tempest, God says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ (Ps 46:10) He says it, as if He means to tell us that our strength and safety lie not in noise, but in silence.”
“It is important that we get still to wait on God.”

(The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer, page 45)

To me this encourages my determination to spend time with God,
alone,
in reading, meditation, thinking
and in further pursuit of his truth by personal (albeit simple!) study.
And to listen....to wait… to spend personal time with God.
(Not just time reading about God, but time communing with God!)

From my perspective, am I closer to God today than I was at the end of 2010…or 2009…or any year earlier?!
Perhaps I need to monitor how much I’m doing versus how much I’m being still and listening.

(Thank you, Mr. Tozer, for the provocative reminder!)