I’ve written an essay for Utmost Ongoing: Reflections on the Legacy of Oswald Chambers.
Published by Discovery House in October, 2017, Utmost Ongoing honors Oswald Chambers’ ministry 100 years following his death through a series of essays.
I’ve written a great deal about My Utmost for His Highest on my blog. (See a list of the many posts here)
This was an opportunity, however, to reflect on my favorite reading and join a list of significant essayists.
We told the stories of how God used a specific reading in our life and how it changed us.
The authors came from all corners of Christendom, present, and included well known names.
(I’m particularly touched I’m listed beside Joni Eareckson Tada!)
I felt greatly honored to participate.
Utmost Ongoing: My favorite reading
I didn’t have to think twice when Discovery House asked me which reading had the greatest impact on my life.
It’s August 28: What’s the Good of Prayer?
You’ll need to read Utmost Ongoing to see what happened in my life to make that reading so significant. 🙂
It changed the way I viewed prayer, opened my eyes to the lengths God will go to love us in our grief and shocked me.
I’m not the same.
Nor is my prayer life or expectations about how God answers prayer.
Utmost Ongoing for encouragement
The book serves, however, for most readers as an encouragement in our faith.
It did that for me when I read it in galley form.
My day went poorly and I needed something to buoy my spirits.
I started at the beginning with Dr. Lina Abujamra’s thoughts on September 30: “The Commission of the Call.”
I didn’t know who she was–a short biography at the end of the essay put her into context.
The first essay resonated in my heart and mind. I read through the whole book from there, encouraged, joyful and marveling at God’s goodness.
My spirits soared–and I wrote all the essayists and thanked them!
Utmost Ongoing for insight
The book provides insight not just on Oswald Chambers and My Utmost for His Highest, but also on the Christian life.
The writers cover a broad range of denominations and mission fields.
As Discovery House’s introduction noted:
“In Utmost Ongoing, you’ll hear from scientists, doctors, musicians, pastors, a soldier, a CEO and others, from young authors to established Christian teachers. . .
“Their life experiences vary widely, but each is united by a love for God’s truth as taught by Oswald Chambers.”
Indeed, the publishers warned:
“You may not agree with all of the perspective in this book. The contributors themselves, if gathered into one room, might not agree on exactly how the Christian life should be lived.
“But this is the beauty of Christian fellowship–Jesus bound us to one another and asked us to love, despite our differences.
“And in all probability when we look closely we’ll find more that unites us than divides us.”
This book helped open my eyes to the unique ways My Utmost for His Highest can be interpreted across generations.
Lots of friends here!
Several of the writers appeared with me at Wheaton College‘s My Utmost a Century of Devotions: The Life and Legacy of Oswald Chambers.
Writer Patricia Raybon, in particular, spoke and wrote about Chambers’ possible reaction to race issues.
She distilled her fascinating talk into an article that appeared in Christianity Today Magazine in November: “The Dead White Man Who Could Fix our Race Problems.”
She wrote about the May 18 “Careful Unreasonableness” in Utmost Ongoing.
One essayist, Amy Boucher Pye, is a member of the Oswald Chambers Publications Association.
Utmost Ongoing into modern life
Like Scripture, My Utmost for His Highest can transcend cultures and time (though, unlike Scripture, Chambers’ devotional is NOT truth and must be read with discernment).
These essays show the how–and provide insight into the way God can, and often does– work.
If you’re looking for help in interpreting My Utmost for His Highest, consider Dr. Jed and Cecilie Macosko’s A Daily Companion to My Utmost for His Highest.
(I wrote about the guide here and here)
There’s plenty to choose from to make this wonderful devotional ongoing!
Tweetables
What is Utmost Ongoing: Reflections on the Legacy of Oswald Chambers? Click to Tweet
Wonderful writers: Patricia Rayborn, Amy Boucher Pye, Fuz Rana, Joni Eareckson Tada and me, reflect on Oswald Chambers’ legacy. Click to Tweet
Essays & reactions to My Utmost for His Highest: Utmost Ongoing: Reflections on the Legacy of Oswald Chambers. Click to Tweet
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