“Temos observado nas vidas uma reação dupla à tribulação: ou ela nos quebra no espírito, derretendo a dureza e nos conduzindo a Deus em nosso desespero, ou ela nos lança sobre nossos pobres recursos e raciocínios humanos. Isso por sua vez nos torna endurecidos no espírito, críticos e geralmente cínicos. Ela rouba o coração do grande privilégio de confiar em Deus e do desenvolvimento da vida em possibilidades ricas e úteis. Mel ou Fel? A adversidade vai tornar você mais amargo, ou melhor. Veja a semelhança entre essas duas palavras da língua inglesa: bitter and better (amargo e melhor). Observe o que é necessário para mudar totalmente o sentido delas: apenas a letra “i” para a letra “e” (em Inglês). Querido irmãos, é o “Eu” (I em Inglês) que muda toda a questão. Quando o “Eu” é colocado fora da dificuldade, a vida fica melhor (better); mas quando o “Eu” é introduzido e ficamos envolvidos na adversidade, a vida se torna mais amarga (bitter). Frequentemente esse “Eu” entra no caminho. O ego pobre, pequeno e ferido leva uma bofetada e corre rua abaixo gritando para ganhar atenção. O precioso e pequeno ego assenta na sua porta e derrama lágrimas de auto piedade; seus olhos ficam vermelhos e inchados e ele não vê mais as coisas como elas são ou deveriam ser. É necessário um coração tranqüilo, paz de espírito e visão clara (ou de longo alcance, se você preferir), para interpretar a tribulação em termos de força e viver elevado. Almas pequenas, pessoas pequenas, geralmente são feridas o tempo todo. O ego no interior ganha importância indevida e por isso ele é facilmente ferido ou adulado. Tais almas possuem um mundo muito pequeno e, desse modo, tudo se relaciona diretamente com o seu ego interior. Resumindo: pessoas assim passarão por momentos muito difíceis. Frequentemente tais almas são pessoas que estão buscando justiça, imparcialidade e um ajuste adequado de vida. Parece que elas nunca aprendem. Não estamos aqui em busca de justiça; estamos aqui para viver. Se você espera ser um cristão espiritual e vitorioso, você precisa aprender imediatamente como retirar a justiça do seu vocabulário, no que diz respeito à sua vida. Nós não experimentamos a justiça agora. A noite do ajuste de contas do Sábado de Deus ainda não chegou.”
A.W. Tozer (1897 - 1963)
A "20th-century prophet" many called him during his lifetime. For 31 years A.W.Tozer was pastor of Southside Alliance Church in Chicago. He was involved in the missionary alliance movement for most of his pulpit life. A.W. Tozer lived in the presence of God he saw clearly and he spoke as a prophet to the church. He sought for God's honor with the zeal of Elijah and mourned with Jeremiah at the apostasy of God's people.Leonard Ravenhill was a close friend of pastor and writer A. W. Tozer and spoke of him as one of the most influential voices in the Church in America. A.W. Tozer's materials are a mainstay in Evangelical churches in our day and he is one of the most quoted authors. He was a prophet in his day and his writings are even more influential in our day. One of his books: The Pursuit of God, has had over 1 million copies sold world-wide.
Recommends these books by A.W. Tozer:
The Knowledge of the Holy: The Attributes of God by A.W. Tozer
Crucified Life: How To Live Out A Deeper Christian Experience by A.W. Tozer
The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
Aiden Wilson Tozer was born April 21, 1897 on a small farm in Western Pennsylvania, the third of six children. And although he would inspire millions with his preaching and writing, he was given very little education during his childhood.
A. W. Tozer was 66 when he died of a heart attack on May 12, 1963. Buried in a small cemetery in Akron, his tombstone simply and appropriately reads, "A Man of God." He left behind many books that continue to give Christians encouragement and guidance. His writings are as fresh today as when he was alive. His honest and colloquial humor has been known to sweep up congregations in gales of laughter. And his wisdom has left them silent and stunned. For almost 50 years Tozer walked with God, and even though he is gone, he continues to minister to those who are eager to experience God.
A 20th-century prophet" they called him even in his lifetime. For 31 years he was pastor of Southside Alliance Church in Chicago, where his reputation as a man of God was citywide. Concurrently he became editor of Alliance Life, a responsibility he fulfilled until his death in 1963.
His greatest legacy to the Christian world has been his 30 books. Because A.W. Tozer lived in the presence of God he saw clearly and he spoke as a prophet to the church. He sought for God's honor with the zeal of Elijah and mourned with Jeremiah at the apostasy of God's people.
But he was not a prophet of despair. His writings are messages of concern. They expose the weaknesses of the church and denounce compromise. They warn and exhort. But they are messages of hope as well, for God is always there, ever faithful to restore and to fulfill His Word to those who hear and obey.