Oswald Chambers wrote a book I started reading twenty-three years ago. I’m still reading. Have you ever read My Utmost for His Highest?
I was given a copy after I believed in Jesus. I remember it was way too deep for me. I felt like I understood 10% of it. It’s much better today—I understand about 50%. Maybe. Probably not.
It’s one of the most popular, influential, beloved Christian books. But technically, Chambers didn’t write it, or title it, or have a dream for it, or envision it. He never wrote a book proposal, never said, “I have a vision of a book that will summarize the message God has given me and bless millions!”
Do the obvious next thing in front of you
He started a school and gave talks to students. Then he volunteered to be a chaplain during World War I and gave talks to soldiers. First his hope was a school, then his hope was to encourage soldiers. He did both.
Then he died at age 46. He had written one book, and Utmost wasn’t it.
All those talks he gave to students and soldiers? His wife, Gertrude, took notes. She could transcribe 250 words per minute shorthand. She saved all her notes.
After his death, Gertrude put together a newsletter for the students and soldiers who heard the talks and wanted more of Chambers’ words. She eventually compiled things into 30 books with Chambers listed as the author.
My Utmost was published ten years after he died. He never saw it coming.
Some hope is a dream fulfilled in time and space
Some hope is a vapor, and you let the time and space sort out as it will
I think Chambers’ hope was consistent with this vapor:
If what you say has value, it will last longer than you will – Vance Havner
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Today is day 12 of 31 Days of Scary Hope: encouragement to go from IS to COULD BE. You can start at the beginning HERE.
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