Paul, on Ambition  

Gal 5.19-21 lists about 15 "acts of the sinful nature" of mankind. About two-thirds of the way through the list is "selfish ambition." It says that "those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." 

Ouch! Is that fair to us here in the 21st Century who are endeavoring to "dream big dreams and accomplish great things for God?" A few questions come to mind as I contemplate this:

1) are God's power and accomplishments limited to my ability to dream big dreams?

2) if "man's anger does not bring the righteousness of God..." (James 1.20) then does man's ambition accomplish the righteousness of God? (This dialogue necessitates evaluating the precipitating drives for anger and ambition; generally 'ego' feeling threat and 'ego' feeling need.)

3) is the "kingdom of God" brought by the will of man?

4) can the "kingdom of God" be inherited by virtue of the size of a person's dreams?

5) in scripture, who was generally used by God for purposes of the kingdom; someone humbled or someone full of ambition?

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (in Drift-Wood) wrote: "Most people would succeed in small things, if they were not troubled with great ambitions." Something about Longfellow's statement reminds me of Jesus' words, "...faithful in a few things..." (Matthew 25.21)

Edmund Spenser (The Shepherd's Calendar) said: "And he that strives to touch the stars, Oft stumbles at a straw."

I believe if we would but do the mundane things that are before us today well, treat each person and opportunity with dignity and enthusiasm, and apply with excellence our attention upon whatever comes next, we should, indeed, "...stand before kings." (Proverbs 22.29)

That, my friend, is my ambition.