A.W. Tozer

In 1957, a Chicago pastor would confront the evangelical church for its anemic spirituality by challenging Christians to foster, "an inward gaze of the soul upon the divine being."

Aiden Wilson Tozer was pastor of Southside Alliance Church from 1928 to 1959. In his classic, The Pursuit of God, he spoke of the importance of continually directing the heart’s attention to Jesus Christ amidst everyday activities of life.

As we engage in this "inward gaze on God," he said, "A new set of eyes will develop within us and we will be ushered into a new level of spiritual life more in keeping with the New Testament."

In the Psalm 27:4 the author cries out, "One thing I have asked of the Lord, that I shall seek. That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to meditate in His temple."

It is the privilege and calling of every Christian to experience a moment by moment fellowship with God as we go about the daily duties of life. A secret fellowship is available to us as we inwardly focus on the majesty of God and meditate on His eternal attributes.

As Tozer stated, "Service, work and activity .. should be engaged in by every Christian. But at the bottom of all these things, giving meaning to them, will be the inward habit of beholding God."

Part 2: Athanasius