The Ruling Passion

"Walking the peaceful path toward His pleasure."

Oswald Chambers emphasizes that our primary goal in life must be pleasing Christ Himself, not merely achieving great ministry successes such as winning souls, planting churches, or stirring revivals. Though these goals are good, they fall short if disconnected from the ultimate ambition of bringing joy and satisfaction to Jesus. Paul exemplifies this singular devotion: his eyes fixed solely on Christ's approval, disregarding applause or criticism from others. Chambers reminds us that spiritual failure doesn't typically stem from insufficient spiritual experiences but from drifting away from this central ambition. Regular, honest self-evaluation before God is essential—not as a legalistic practice but as a means to realign our hearts continually toward the one true purpose: pleasing our Lord. Any deviation, even slight, can gradually lead us away from our true calling and potentially disqualify us from finishing well. Thus, Paul practiced disciplined self-awareness, keeping himself aligned to this highest goal. Chambers lovingly challenges us to reflect regularly: is pleasing Christ genuinely our ruling passion, or have we subtly exchanged it for something less?

Personalized Journal Entry in the Holy Spirit’s Voice (Scripture)

Beloved, set your heart fully on pleasing Me in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. For you are My workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which I prepared beforehand, that you should walk in them. I work in you to will and to act according to My good pleasure, so delight yourself in Me, and I will give you the desires of your heart.

Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, and run with endurance the race marked out for you. Forget what lies behind and strain toward what is ahead, pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called you heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Walk worthy of the calling you have received, not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit. Keep your eyes straight ahead, your gaze directly before you, considering everything else loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus your Lord. Remain steadfast, immovable, always abounding in My work, knowing that your labor in Me is never in vain.

For your life is hidden with Christ in God. Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to the Father. And in this, you bring great pleasure to Me.

(Colossians 1:10; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:13; Psalm 37:4; Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 3:13-14; Ephesians 4:1; Zechariah 4:6; Proverbs 4:25; Philippians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Colossians 3:3,17)

Prayer

Father, thank You that You have already given me everything I need to live a life pleasing to You through Christ dwelling richly in me. I'm deeply grateful that I don't have to strive independently or anxiously evaluate my worth by external achievements. Your Spirit is within, gently guiding and drawing my heart continually to what truly matters: the joyful satisfaction of Your heart. Today, with peaceful confidence, I rest in the truth that pleasing You is my highest calling and greatest joy—and that You have already empowered me fully in Christ to walk this beautiful path.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Devotional insights from Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest," March 17
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