Giants of Faith: Learning From A.W. Tozer

Life gets loud sometimes. With so much going on around us, it’s easy to lose focus. But there have always been faithful men and women who walked before us—people who stayed close to God and called others to do the same. One of those voices was A.W. Tozer, a pastor and writer from the mid-1900s, known for his deep devotion and his call to serious, Spirit-led faith. Though he never went to seminary, his words still speak today, challenging us to shake off surface-level Christianity and draw near to God in a real and personal way.

Tozer said something that’s stuck with believers for generations:
“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

That one line tells us so much. The way we see God shapes everything—how we live, how we love, what we trust in, and where we’re headed. If our view of God is small or off-base, it affects every part of our lives.

Tozer believed that knowing about God wasn’t enough. What really mattered was what we believed in our hearts. He saw how easy it was for Christians to settle for a shallow walk—going through the motions without ever really knowing the One who made them. That’s why he spent his life urging people to move past surface faith and into a deeper relationship with God.

He called it an “everlasting preoccupation with God.” That’s more than a Sunday morning thought. It’s a lifestyle. It means turning our hearts to God every day—staying aware of His presence, even in the middle of ordinary life.

Tozer didn’t describe God as distant or unreachable. He reminded believers that God is close—real, personal, and active in our lives. He taught that God isn’t just a concept to study or a distant power to fear. He’s a loving Father who wants to be known. That truth still stands today. God hasn’t changed. He’s still reaching out, ready to meet us where we are.

That truth is still real today. God hasn’t changed. He still wants to meet us right where we are.

But let’s be honest—it’s not always easy. Tozer didn’t pretend it was. He said,
“The Christian life is not a playground, it is a battlefield.”

We have to fight against distractions, temptation, and spiritual laziness. But Tozer believed the battle was worth it. Why? Because knowing God deeply brings peace, strength, and purpose like nothing else can.

His message is still for us today. In a world full of noise, Tozer points us back to the one thing that matters most—our relationship with God. He challenges us not to settle. Don’t be content with a distant or casual faith. Go deeper. Get to know the God who loves you and wants to walk with you every day.

So, here’s the question Tozer would ask us:
What comes into your mind when you think about God?

Is He close? Is He personal? Is He the center of your life?

Don’t settle for less. God is near, and He’s waiting. Will you respond?

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)

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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.”

I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.

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I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. (1 Timothy 1:12)