Comments on: The spiritualization of ambition

By: Alicia Britt Chole

Alicia Britt Chole — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 16:28:03 +0000

Karla, thank you for bringing the message home. And thank you for hearing and struggling with God’s whisper “that it doesn’t have to be that way. I can rest in Him.” A performance-driven culture turns on that crazy treadmill. May God help us press the off button and create a rhythm that is sustainable–internally and externally.

By: Karla Ford

Karla Ford — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 13:31:11 +0000

I am going through a period where it seems that God is asking me to be “nothing”. I have to confess that it isn’t easy, not because I seek to be praised, but because I have a real need to confirm my value. This is especially true when I understand that people are sacrificing for our ministry. I desire to be a good steward, and not be accused of laziness or taking advantage.

Then on itineration it seems as if selling yourself is required. There must be a way to balance. I’m tired of proving myself, my worth, of working harder and harder for fewer results, and feeling that I’m on a treadmill and I can’t get off.

Somewhere deep inside I feel like God is whispering that it doesn’t have to be that way. I can rest in Him. That I don’t have to perform to be used by Him.

By: Alicia Britt Chole

Alicia Britt Chole — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 14:14:42 +0000

In reply to Esther.

Esther, “this plague”, yes–contagious and spiritually life-threatening. I remember around 25 years ago having the opportunity to hear Loren Cunningham speak. I’ll paraphrase his wise words: “Live humbly. Lie low. Then when doors close you can just slide right under them and keep going.”

By: Alicia Britt Chole

Alicia Britt Chole — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 14:09:51 +0000

In reply to Jessica Huffman.

Jessica, yes, the struggle is real. And as I have the honor of watching friends in their 70s and 80s … I see that the challenge manifests later in life in more subtle yet still related forms as some wrestle with questions of significance and legacy. Looking forward, looking backwards–both can be aided by Jesus’ humble example of true strength.

By: Jessica Huffman

Jessica Huffman — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 12:08:23 +0000

I am move to tears at this post…even as an adult, these struggles are alive and well. Thank you for having the courage to write the truth in love. You summed it up well with the last phrase, “But most strategies of darkness lose their power in the presence of a soul that values the strength to be nothing.”

By: Esther

Esther — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 10:05:07 +0000

Wow! This is a cry of my heart. You have written what I often feel but cannot always express. I came to Christ ten years ago and since then I’ve been surrounded by the next generation of leaders in His church. I am a Bible college grad and seminary student. My generation suffers from this plague. I find myself in a tug of war inwardly; wanting my peers to recognize that I too am called even though I’m in a season of preparation and hiddeness. It’s overwhelming to be around people with ambition and awesome leadership abilities, yet often feel the pressure to prove you’re calling. No one says it, but it’s always there; and subtly many of us feed this ungodly need to be recognized above our peers as more “spiritual” and gifted to serve God. I have seen peers go to great lengths to ‘know’ the right people and be rewarded for their efforts. It’s wrong, yet one can’t help wondering if they’re doing something wrong. Thank you for your words of godly wisdom. I pray I will be reminded of them when my own ambition tries to take over.

By: Alicia Britt Chole

Alicia Britt Chole — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 19:41:54 +0000

In reply to Leah Adams. Oh, I love it when Jesus layers His Word over and over in our lives! Such a challenging theme in our day. Leah, you are spot on: "a tension those of us in ministry must manage with the help of the Spirit of Christ." Amen.

By: Leah Adams

Leah Adams — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 19:30:46 +0000

Just yesterday I wrote a post for my own blog for Monday using Proverbs 27:2 as the focal point. Seems the Lord is reminding me of the importance of allowing Him to steer and direct me. This issue of self-promotion and praise truly is a tension that those of us in ministry must manage with the help of the Spirit of Christ. Beautiful post. Lovely reminder of what it looks like to be Christ-like.