Greatness is Not That Great: A Note to the Ambitious

Whenever we get lost in work and productivity, I believe there comes a point when we begin to veer off ever so slightly from the right path.

What begins as an authentic desire to honor God in everything we do, will gradually be forgotten when we get lost in the details. And we can’t help it—because we’re human.

But it is precisely because of this weakness that we need to slow down and pace ourselves more often than we probably do.

The Blessing and Curse of the Visionary

I consider myself as someone who tends to be ambitious, and often chases after exciting ideas and visions.

On the one hand, this is a terrific thing because it keeps life very exciting, and often times fulfilling. Moreover, when those ideas and visions actually add value to others, the ripple effect can be huge.

But on the other hand, the personal impact of chasing after dreams in the long-term can be devastating. Questions about where my worth comes from start to arise, and the ego begins to take the driver’s seat.

And you don’t want the ego to be on the driver’s seat.

The Antidote to Selfish Ambition

When our ambitions and our own ego directs our steps, it will surely be our downfall. You probably have some examples in your own life of you insisting on something because it will make you look good.

But this is how the world works:

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. “ (Proverbs 16:18)

Pride is bad news. So what do we do?

We must humble ourselves.

Seeking Greatness is Not That Great

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage.” (Philippians 2:5-6)

This passage in Philippians 2 always manages to put me back in my place.

Jesus Himself is God—that’s the greatest status there is in the universe. And we, naturally, want to be great, or at least, feel great, and so we try to achieve that in our ways.

But since Jesus is the greatest, then shouldn’t that make us stop and consider how we can emulate Him?

And in this precious passage, it tells us His very mindset: He did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage.

Furthermore it says, “He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:7).

And what was the effect of that?

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” (Philippians 2:9)

True Greatness Comes from God Alone

What does all this tell us?

We can strive to make ourselves important in the eyes of others. We can stretch ourselves to get glory from man, from our bosses, from our parents, from an audience. We can do that.

But this is your warning: it will never be enough.

You will get what you want, and it will not be enough. You will keep wanting more.

We Decrease By Increasing God

Jesus has shown us that humbling ourselves is much more pleasing to the Father. It is precisely when we “in humility value others above [ourselves], not looking to [our] own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4) that God is pleased.

And yes, it is better that we decrease ourselves, but not for the sake of pitying ourselves. But our focus must be on increasing God, and building others up.

It won’t be easy, and there will be sacrifices along the way that will be difficult, and that require endurance and faith.

Nevertheless, look to the promise in Matthew 23:12: God will exalt those who humble themselves. And it will be the only satisfying glory we will ever experience: the applause of God Himself.

Now Look to Jesus

So it’s time for us to stop thinking too hard about how we look, how productive we are, or what people think of us. If this is something you stumble a lot in, let this be your daily prayer instead:

“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!” (Psalm 119:36)

Plead to see the glory of Christ in His word and in His work in your life. And you will no longer crave selfish gain.

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