6 Surprising Ways Oswald Chambers’ “My Utmost” Can Help You Start Your Day Right

My Utmost for His Highest

Young Oswald Chambers was a dreamer, and like many of us, explored different career options during his early years in the late 1800s. He was a gifted artist and musician but at the University of Edinburg, after an agonizing internal battle, he surrendered his life fully to God and began to study for the ministry. From then on, Chambers was a man utterly devoted to God, His Word, and to sharing the timeless wisdom of the Bible with others. His Bible teaching ministry took him from his native Scotland to the United Kingdom, United States, Japan and ultimately to a YMCA retreat at a British Army base in Egypt during World War I. His morning devotionals for the soldiers were particularly popular and his wife took down each one in shorthand.

My Utmost for His Highest

It was in Egypt that he died of complications from appendicitis. His wife, Gertrude “Biddy” Chambers, returned to England where she began transcribing his morning talks and sending them to friends and publishing a few in newsletters and magazines. A friend suggested she compile the best and submit them to a publisher. The first book that resulted, My Utmost for His Highest, has been continuously in print since 1927 and is one of the bestselling devotionals of all time. Chambers’ other teachings have been collected into more than 40 books. Today, over 100 years later, Chambers’ works continue to enrich the lives of millions. He left a spiritual legacy that over the years has touched many men, women, teens, politicians, entertainers, and preachers – who start their day out with such nuggets of spiritual insight as: “Keep your life so constantly in touch with God that His surprising power can break through at any point. Live in a constant state of expectancy, and leave room for God to come in as He decides.” How can you use his words to start your day off just right?