“Lacks
ambition.” That is not a phrase you want to see on your performance review.
When it comes to work, employees who lack ambition seldom rise to the top of an
organization. Without a strong desire to achieve something, nothing is
accomplished. Ambition, however, has a dark side. It often has more to do with
elevating self than with accomplishing something noble for others.
This was
the case with many of the kings of Israel, including the first one. Saul
started out with humility, but he gradually came to consider his position as
something that belonged to him. He forgot that he had a special assignment from
God to lead His chosen people in a way that would show other nations the way to
God. When God relieved him of duty, Saul’s only concern was for himself (1 Sam. 15:30).
In a
world where ambition often compels people to do whatever it takes to rise to
positions of power over others, God calls His people to a new way of living. We
are to do nothing out of selfish ambition (Phil. 2:3)
and to lay aside the weight of sin that ensnares us (Heb. 12:1).
If you
want to be someone who truly “rises up,” make it your ambition to humbly love
and serve God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).
Ambition
is short-sighted if our focus is not on God. (RBC)
