“Always abounding in the work of the Lord.”

Ambition,  is it a blessing or a curse?  Solomon's proverbs refer to the man without it as a 'sluggard.'  "A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing." (Proverbs 20:4, NIV)  Life happens to the person lacking drive and/or desire.  He just sits around waiting  for easy money, big moments, and break time. His guideline is minimal participation.  Usually, he ends up in debt, blaming the world!  Of course, when a person is too full of ambition he is impossible to live with; arrogant, and self-absorbed. Because he thinks the world exists for him, he uses people in a blind pursuit of his agenda; seeking wealth and/or power. He is too busy chasing his dreams to be concerned with love, family, or loyalty.

The balance is found in being ambitious for the glory of God.   The Word urges us to "make the most of every opportunity."  (Col. 4.5)   That is coupled with this reminder,  "...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31, NLT)   John said it succinctly - "He must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:30, NIV)

Need to know when ambition has gone wrong?  Just ask yourself, "whose approval do I really want?"  If you are trying to win your family’s admiration, your bosses commendation, or your neighbor’s affirmation – you are aiming at the wrong goal.   

James says that selfish ambition is devilishly destructive.   Godly ambition will fill our lives with a harvest of good things!  "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."  (James 3:13-18, NIV)

I am, and have always been, an ambitious man.  I ask myself often "What are you doing today, Jerry, that is making the world in which you live a  better place?"   It is a loaded question that can be answered with very skewed choices if I measure making a difference in any way other than faithfully seeking and doing God's will.  I don't always get it right!  It makes me sad when I realize that what I said, what I did, was aimed at securing my own reputation rather than pointing to Jesus.   But, thankfully, when I confess my sin, He forgives and changes my heart.  Positively, nothing is more fulfilling than knowing that someone has felt the touch of Jesus, discovered the love of God, or chosen to live for the Lord because I was faithful to point them in the right direction.  Even when I am an invisible part of the process, there is a deep sense of purpose.

Never mistake passively drifting through life for humility! Be ambitious and find out what God wants from you, then pursue it with your whole heart - always for the glory of God.  Here’s the word from the Word - "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:57-58, NKJV)