This beautiful exchange

I have been reading The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. When discussing the “greats” like the apostle John and Paul, and Luther and St. Francis, he states that though they were each very different in temperament and personal qualities, they all shared “one vital quality which they had in common.” He calls this quality “spiritual receptivity”. He goes on to say…

“Receptivity is not a single thing; rather, it is a compound, a blending of several elements within the soul. It is an affinity for, a bent toward, a sympathetic response to, a desire to have. From this is may be gathered that is can be present in degrees, that we may have little or more, depending upon the individual. It may be increased by exercise or destroyed by neglect. It is not a soovereign and irresistible force which comes upon us as a seizure from above. It is a gift of God, indeed, but one which must be recognized and cultivated as an other gift if we are to realize the purpose for which it was given.”

In reading this, I became very convicted at how I cultivate, or fail to cultivate, my gift of faith. (Or any gift, for that matter)

He goes on to say that these men “went on to cultivate it until it became the biggest thing in their lives. They differed from the average person in that when they felt the inward longing they did something about it.” (He even added the italics)

Lord, when I feel You tugging at my heart, may I do something rather than allow myself to be distracted by the somethings of this world.

(Stay tuned, I will continue Tozer’s thought into the “evil disease that is the malady of the soul”)