Ambition

Like so much of life, ambition can be a good thing or it can be a bad thing.  When ambition is centered on self interest - personal goals focused on success with little regard for others - then it is not being used as God intended. We see this type of ambition displayed all around us in those who are consumed with becoming famous or others who make their primary ambition to become rich or to gain power.  Sadly, in many places and in many ways this behavior is applauded.

Biblical ambition begins with our desire to be the best we are capable of being in the area God has placed us and to continue to learn and improve so that we can be used by God to fulfill the purposes we were created for.

It is also having a passion to achieve noble goals.  It begins with an attitude that is focused away from ourselves and towards others.  An example of this is where we want to help others by using the gifts and abilities God has given to us.  It may be belonging to a team or group or it might be playing a key supporting role for those groups.

Having a noble ambition is when you learn to see meaning in every activity of life and that you learn to place value on these activities.

To develop this point further, I highly recommend a book by Mark Sanborn titled, "The Fred Faction."  The sub-title gives an idea of the theme of the book:  How Passion in your Work and Life Turns the Ordinary into the Extraordinary.