Dear Friends,

Ambition is a great quality, and can help us grow as individuals and as professionals. It can lead us to learn more, do more, become better friends, spouses and family members. Yes indeed, ambition is a good quality. And we feel pretty good about ourselves when we achieve a goal, and especially when we hear others speak highly of us. 

Yet, C.S. Lewis cautioned, “The most dangerous thing you can do is take any one impulse of your own nature and set it up as the thing you ought to follow at all costs. There is none of them which will not make us into devils if we set it up as an absolute guide.”

If the final goal of our ambition is personal success and glory, then we are embracing a false sense of self-pride that is completely incompatible with living within God's will. If our own achievements (and the way others see us) is what motivates us, how can we strive to be all that God has planned for us? Biblical wisdom repeatedly tells us we cannot serve two masters; we cannot serve ourselves and God.

Ask yourself, “Who holds the mirror I look into in order to determine who I am? Is it another person holding the mirror, or is God holding my mirror, reflecting His love back to me?” When you look to another person to define you and tell you your worth, you are not only relying on the opinions of imperfect men and women, you are bowing down to and kneeling before these imperfect opinions. What a clear example of worshipping a false idol! 

God is perfect, all-knowing and all-powerful. That’s who I want to turn to for guidance, counsel and insight into who I am, and who I want to look to as I strive to become even better in His eyes.

Have you ever experienced a time when you found yourself placing too much significance on what others thought about you? Perhaps you realized you were experiencing misplaced pride in yourself simply because others seemed to hold you in high regard? What did it take for you to remember that you are defined by God’s vision, not other people’s opinions? Share your story and inspire others.

Blessings,

Ron