I am almost finished reading The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer.  Truthfully, I have been reading it for about 2 years.  I think I even started over because I went so long without reading it at one point.  But, I love it.  I actually think it may even top my all-time favorite, Mere Christianity. 

It is rare for me to read a book and actually feel uplifted and encouraged by it.  Often, “Christian” books leave me feeling condemned, not good enough, and like I am an utter failure.  So, why is this book so different? I wondered.  But I didn’t wonder for long, because the answer was really very clear.  This book was about God, not about me.  Instead of telling me about all of the things I should or should not be doing to be a “good Christian”, this book reminded me, over and over, and in great detail and forcefulness, of who God is.

See, I have learned something about myself over the past few years, and it is this: the thing that will best affect change for the better in my life is a closer relationship with the Lord.  It probably sounds simplistic, but it is a truth that has anchored my soul when my head is sent spinning by all of the advice and suggestions and implications that come from other well-intentioned Christians.

I’ve begun to read most books and listen to most ideas with one thought underpinning my response: is it Bible?   Not, is it unbiblical?…because I have found that there is a vast sea of thought that is not unbiblical that still does not have the right to stand next to the Bible, or even anywhere near, in my heart.  Yet, somehow, we as Christians (maybe we as people?) tend to elevate certain ideas to a place of being above reproach when, really, that spot should be reserved for God and His Word alone.  We can read a book, or hear someone share, or observe a method and think that anything short of complete conformity is failure.

It’s not that the ideas are bad, but I am not the same as the person for whom some practice worked wonders.  I am not called to necessarily speak the same, minister the same, raise my children the same, interact the same, love my husband the same, keep my home the same, worship the same, prioritize the same, fellowship the same as anyone else…unless the Bible clearly says so.

So, how do I decide what God has called me to in a given area?  I get to know Him – more deeply, more certainly, more personally.  I seek His face.  I meditate on Him.  I read His Word.  And I find life.  Such LIFE!  His Spirit renews and reveals and reminds.  He convicts and strengthens and guides.  I feel like words fail me when I try to describe the difference that drawing near to the Lord makes in my heart and mind.  When I draw near to Him, He draws near to me…and that intimacy fills me with such love for Him that it feels like I will burst.  He is an amazing God.  Incomprehensibly good and holy and faithful and powerful.

So, tell me about Him.  Tell me how awesome He is.  Remind me over and over again of what the Bible says.  Help me to see Him more clearly.  Direct my gaze to Him and His perfection, instead of to myself and my ever woefully imperfect efforts to be anything good.  Trust me, keeping my focus on Him will make more of a difference in my life than anything else ever could.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.—2 Peter 1:3 (emphasis mine)