LET’S THINK ABOUT . . . AMBITION

            What motivates you to do what you do?  What goals do you have in your personal life?  Do you have any?  Maybe you don’t realize you are “driven” by unseen dreams or desires.  Our culture today is drenched with at least four ambitions in life: POPULARITY [fame, reputation], POWER [authority over others], WEALTH [coveting things], and finally SELF, which seems to sum them all up.  Shouldn’t life be lived on a higher level than these?

            There are acceptable and honorable ambitions.  In fact the Bible gives evidence that the godliest of people had God-oriented objectives.  The Apostle Paul stated, “I have made it my aim to preach the gospel of Christ.”  True Christians must be careful to live a life honoring to the Lord Jesus.  “That you may approve the things that are excellent.”  There seems to be a two-fold motivation in the lives of people who love the Lord.  They were people of ambition.

1. “We make it our goal in life, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him [Christ].”   Along the same line, elsewhere we read, “Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of the faith.”  Our objective in life, then, in whatever we do is to please the Lord.
2. “The love of Christ compels us.”  There seems to be no other option.  God’s personal love for you can capture your heart and propel you to obey God for the rest of your earth-walk.  How’s that for ambition?

            Warning: Guard against selfish ambitions that on the surface appear respectable.  James and John, two of the Lord’s disciples, decided they wanted special privileges in God’s coming kingdom.  They requested, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”  They were asking Jesus to reserve the best seats of authority for them.  That selfish request was flatly denied.  Instead of ruling over their fellow disciples, Jesus told them that greatness is by serving, not by ruling. “It shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.”  God told Jeremiah’s secretary, “Should you seek great things for yourself?  Seek them not.”

            Pray that God will give you your own master ambition.  William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army claimed, “So far as I know, God has had all there is of me.” 

            Our goal in life is not to be comfortable.  Our motto is not “Safety first.”  Jesus lived a life we would call dangerous, or risky.  Why?  His all consuming ambition was to do His Father’s will.  Could that be a great motivating factor in your life?

Allan Flint