[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during Jaanuary 2026]
Once upon a time the ruler of a large country became obsessed with taking possession of some land belonging to his neighbour. By a devious scheme he was able to dispose of the opposition to his plan and he then acquired that additional land. This success gave him great pleasure – but someone greater was watching.
Did any particular person or event come to mind when you read those words? There are so many examples to choose from, not least one which has occurred since that paragraph was drafted!
As we embark upon a new year we soon realise the frailty of mere resolutions. We need something stronger and we may be tempted to explore new, longer-term, ambitions; perhaps to increase our income, to improve our quality of life or to expand our boundaries.
There can be many challenges to our ambitions, some of which are of our own making. Complacency, procrastination and indifference can cause us to abandon even the most noble of ambitions.
Godly ambitions can be good, they can be a blessing to us and to those around us and, of course, we can ask for God’s help in achieving them. The apostle Paul listed some of the characteristics of such an ambition:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5 v22-23 [ESVUK]
On the other hand, God-less ambitions can be destructive. The scenario described in our opening paragraph can be found in the Biblical book of 1 Kings. The belligerent ruler was Ahab, king of Samaria, and his unfortunate neighbour was Naboth whose family lands included a productive vineyard. Ahab schemed to dispose of Naboth and took possession of his land but – as always – someone greater was watching. God sent a message to Ahab:
So now the Lord says, ‘I will bring disaster on you and consume you. I will destroy every one of your male descendants, slave and free alike, anywhere in Israel!
1 Kings 21 v21 [NLT]
God is watching – will our ambitions receive his blessing or incite his displeasure?
Thy will, I now resign
my all into Thy hands;
My aspirations, hopes, desires,
ambitions, dreams, and plans.Thy will, not mine, O Lord,
be then my constant prayer;
So being all absorbed by Thee,
I shall Thy glory share.
Charles C. Washburn (1868–1954)
Finally, let us consider more words from Paul – not to stifle ambition but to put it into context.
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
1 Timothy 6 v6-7 [ESVUK]
References:
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Last week’s reflection: Let the Celebrations Continue!
13/Jan/2026
Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys