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Leadership – Ambition

Why do you seek a position of leadership? Definition:  Ambition – comes from a Latin word meaning, campaigning for promotion. Webster’s Definition – AMBI’TION, n. [L. ambitio, from ambio, to go about, or to seek by making interest, of amb, about, and eo, to go. See Ambages. This word had its origin in the practice of Roman candidates for office, who went about the city to solicit votes.]A desire of preferment, or of honor; a desire of excellence or superiority. It is used in a good sense; as, emulation may spring from a laudable ambition. It denotes also an inordinate desire of power, or eminence, often accompanied with illegal means to obtain the object. It is sometimes followed by of; as, a man has an ambition of wit. Milton has used the word in the Latin sense of going about, or attempting; but this sense is hardly legitimate.  Jeremiah 45:5 – And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.

One of the dangers we face in the ministry is doing things for ourself and not God.  As I evaluate the motivation and ambition of my life, I must answer the question, whose glory is this really for?  Is this ministry all about me?  Is deputation and raising my support all about me?  Am I more concerned about my name than the Lord’s?  Am I touchy and irritable because I feel that all that happens is reflective upon me rather than the God I serve? Ambition focused in the right direction is wonderful, but when it is focused inward, it becomes very destuctive. 

Duck, more to follow!

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