"We set a watch upon our emotions day and night lest we become over-spiritual and bring reproach upon the cause of Christ. Which all, if I may say so, is for most of us about as sensible as throwing a cordon of police around a cemetery to prevent a wild political demonstration by the inhabitants."
AW Tozer, Born After Midnight
I have to say that this quote just made me burst out loud when I read it. I realize that, although I have become more and more emotive if not downright emotional over the years, I intuitively distrust emotional responses. I want some hard "data" to back up what I'm thinking or feeling so that I know that I am not deceived - I want to be convinced that what I feel is "true".
Scripture is a pretty great witness of itself, so that is always helpful. Somedays, thought, the only "data" I really need is who I am - and the irrefutable truth that, while I may not be who I need to be yet, I'm sure not who I was. And, for that, I am most grateful. Jesus is not only a personal redeemer, He is a transformer of unimaginable creativity and strength.
6 comments:
>Jesus is not only a personal redeemer, He is a transformer of unimaginable creativity and strength
I wonder if the 250,000 people who die of starvation in the world every day thought that too, Halfmom?
(Hard data: United Nations report).
Yes, Maalie. If they were believers in Jesus Christ, I would expect that they thought so as well, despite their circumstances. One might compare them with the believers listed in Hebrews 11:13-14,16b "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared from them a city."
You might also see the example of people like Stephen, who though he was being stoned, prayed for those who were murdering him (Acts 7) or of Jesus, Himself as He, the completely perfect and sinless one, died for the sins of all (Luke 23:34). Or perhaps you would want to read about the Holocaust survivor, Corrie Ten Boom.
What a great book. Born After Midnight was one of the first books I ever read after becoming a Christian. Something about Tozer's writing resonated deep inside me. Now, my 14 year old son is reading it for the first time.
I've just read snippets of it from a Tozer devotional - reading a book on John by him now. One of my favorite authors though because he speaks straight to me heart. So, I understand full well, "resonates deep inside".
Reading - rereading - Perelandra right now. CS Lewis speaks to me the same way, just not as easy to understand sometimes for me.
I'm pretty sure Tozer wrote this about Presbyterians.
Not Lutherans?
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