In her debut book, Macy Halford invites readers, regardless of their religious background, to contemplate how spiritual beliefs impact both public and personal life. While it can be viewed as a form of devotion, the book also delves into the themes of another renowned devotional work, “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers. Chambers, a Scottish artist-turned-preacher, penned this influential book nearly a century ago, which has been translated into over thirty-five languages and remains a favorite among evangelical Christians, including former President George W. Bush.
Halford’s upbringing was steeped in the evangelical Christian community, where church camps, Sunday School, and discussions with her strict grandmother shaped her early years. Through “My Utmost,” Halford reflects on her own life, career, and evolving faith, deeply influenced by Chambers’s devotional. Blending spiritual autobiography, social commentary, and church history, Halford contextualizes her experiences within the broader narrative of religion in contemporary America.
The book also serves as a biography of Oswald Chambers, highlighting his unconventional journey from an artist to a preacher in nineteenth-century London. Despite his artistic background, Chambers embraced theological training and eventually established the Bible Training College in London. Halford idolized Chambers since her youth, finding solace and inspiration in his devotional writings, which accompanied her through various life transitions, including her move to New York and professional endeavors at the New Yorker.
Halford painstakingly details her struggles as an evangelical Christian navigating secular environments, illustrating moments of discomfort and doubt. She grapples with reconciling her faith with societal shifts and liberal ideologies, a tension exemplified during a contentious church sermon preceding the 2012 presidential election. This incident prompts Halford to critically examine fundamentalist perspectives within contemporary American Christianity, a theme echoed in her timely publication amidst evolving religious discourse and political landscapes.
Drawing parallels between Chambers’s open-minded approach and the entrenched dogma of modern evangelicalism, Halford underscores the importance of intellectual curiosity and adaptability in religious practice. By encouraging readers to reevaluate their beliefs with a critical eye, Halford advocates for a more flexible and inclusive religious dialogue that accommodates diverse viewpoints while upholding core principles of faith and identity.
