Day Thirty-Five
HOLY AMBITION
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
PHILIPPIANS 3:12-14
If anyone exhibited holy, sanctified ambition, it was the apostle Paul. When we talk about the concept of “ambition,” there are negative stigmas often attached. This is not because ambition, in and of itself, is a bad thing. Unfortunately, people have used it as a vehicle for ungodly pursuits. A driving ambition for the wrong things has consistently been responsible for jeopardizing other realms of life. If any type of ambition displaces other important realms of life—such as our faith, family, or friendships—then the ambition is misplaced. Ambition is extremely powerful, for both good and for bad. What is your intention and motive for doing something?
Paul was intimately acquainted with this. He lived on both sides of ambition. Before his Damascus Road encounter with Christ, Paul was feared among the Christian community because of his ungodly ambition. He was the great persecutor of the Church, not the impassioned evangelist of the lost. He was zealous to destroy, not build up. All of this would change after one encounter in the presence of the Risen Christ.
Ambition should be measured in God’s presence. In any given moment, you can pause to prayerfully ask yourself, “Does the fulfillment of my ambition extend glory to God?” It demands a moment-by-moment heart check to test whether your present drive—whatever it may be—is glorifying to God.
Your greatest source of delight and ultimate fulfillment should be giving God glory. This is not some rote, religious response. It is not duty or obligation. You delight in giving God glory, and likewise, He invites you to partake in His glory. To give God glory is the greatest source of human fulfillment imaginable. This is the true sweet spot of living out of our created purpose and design. Everyone wants to know the meaning of life, right? The Westminster Confession of Faith captures it aptly: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” I am continually amazed at how God brings us such enjoyment when we are able to give Him glory.
Be assured, holy ambition is no “church exclusive” passion. You give God glory by being the man or woman He put you on this planet to be. You give God glory by fulfilling your designated assignment in whatever unique sphere of influence you have been stationed. You experience great fulfillment and satisfaction when you do things that give God glory. I am amazed at how the things that give God glory are also the things that make us come fully alive. It is truly the goodness of our loving God to allow for so great an intersection between our passion and His glory.
Whether it’s teaching, singing, writing, acting, practicing medicine, or upholding the law, when you do everything as you are doing it unto God, you are giving Him glory. When you invest your talents in good soil, you give God glory. When you receive payoff on the investments that you make, you give God glory.
To give God the glory that is due His name, you are not simply attending a worship service—you are living a worship lifestyle. Your ambition, regardless of what field, specialty, or trade it finds fulfillment in—if it’s Heaven-birthed and stands the testing of God’s presence—is meant to give God glory. Celebrate where you are and what you are doing, knowing that you have the ability to glorify God in every moment.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What are some practical ways that you can measure your ambition in God’s presence? (Prayer, worship, dialogue with the Holy Spirit, etc.)
List some signs of what you think unholy ambition looks like. (This will be helpful to you in evaluating your own ambition; it is important to know what the negative looks like so you can recognize and avoid it.)
How can your personal ambitions bring God glory? Explain.
ACTION STEPS
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
—1 CORINTHIANS 10:31 NIV
I want you to discover how what you are currently doing can bring glory to God. Too many of us are waiting for some supernatural “call to ministry,” when in fact, where we currently are positioned is a call to ministry in and of itself. What you are doing, the people you work with every day, and the job you are responsible for doing with excellence—this is not simply your place of employment, but is a holy place of worship. Your work, when done from this perspective, is actually a form of worship to the praise and glory of God.