Millions call themselves by His name, it is true, and pay some token homage to Him, but a simple test will show how little He is really honored among them. Let the average man be put to the proof on the question of who or what is ABOVE, and his true position will be exposed. Let him be forced into making a choice between God and money, between God and men, between God and personal ambition, God and self, God and human love, and God will take second place every time. Those other things will be exalted above. However the man may protest, the proof is in the choice he makes day after day throughout his life.
― A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine
In order to get serious about faith, one must realize that faith is not a magic wand we wave to get what we want. Far from having some power within itself, faith must have an object. There are two essential ingredients in faith: what one believes and in whom one believes.
Faith can either fulfill or disappoint. Remember, faith is in the invisible and eternal and thus determines one’s eternal destiny. Obviously, to believe what is false about eternity and the God of eternity is to set oneself up for eternal loss and remorse.
No tragedy could be greater.
― Dave Hunt (The Berean Call), Seeking and Finding God
I think the two excerpts complement each other, the first reminds us to be real about the things we hold dear and it makes me want to renew my devotion to my Lord and Savior of my soul, and the second reminds me of all the distractions trying to attract my attention and replace the object of my faith with those things that slowly creep in and take the place of my precious Lord and Savior!
O Lord, please don't allow it! Make my heart soft again and able to discern between the excuses I make for keeping hold of those things that have no value, and the tender mercies I've come to know in Your wonderful presence!
Teach me to let go of those things: money, men, ambition, and self; and to remember how good Your fulness and presence is, and how You, O Lord, truly do fulfill my every need.
I love you, O Lord, Jesus, my Messiah, my King, and my God!