O. C.

In these early days of January, I have started another year with Oswald Chambers.  Chambers is an unknown saint to many of today's believers.  Born in 1874 and dead in 1917, his life was short.  His life was just over 43 years long, but his legacy still lives today.  During World War he worked as a Secretary and spiritual leader with the YMCA among the English troops in Egypt.  He died following surgery for a ruptured appendix.  He delayed his own treatment believing the doctor were of better use tending to the wounded of the war.  

After his death, his wife compiled his sermons and writings into what is known as "My Utmost for His Highest,"  a daily devotional which has served the faithful for over a century.   I bought my first copy in the fall of 1968 from a local bookstore near Asbury College.  I finally had to replace my original torn and worn out copy for another which I am still reading today.  Along with my Bible it has been a desk top companion for over 57 years.  It has been recommended to more folks than I can count and has shaped my life again and again in many ways.   "My Utmost for His Highest" is rooted in the Scripture.  Chambers was convinced there was no power like the power revealed through the Word of God.  

His writings are not the ones for hurried devotional readers, but for ones who are willing to sit and let the Spirit inspired work of a servant of Christ to soak in the soul.  Again and again, Chambers writes about what it means to live as one abandoned totally to God.  It was the way he lived.  It is the way his writings beckon us to live.  There was nothing iffy about the way he spoke of the Creating God, the saving Son, and the empowering Holy Spirit.  If you should decide to read his works from over a century ago, you will join me in affirming that it is a timeless word that has power to nurture hearts and change lives.