by Richard Blackaby
At the age of 31, Julius Caesar happened upon a monument in Spain commemorating the feats of Alexander the Great. Caesar was overcome with despair knowing that when Alexander had been his age, he had already conquered the known world. No less ambitious than his Greek counterpart, Caesar would achieve fame himself before his life was cut short. Thomas Carlyle popularized the notion of the “great man.” He postulated that history could be understood in terms of how “great men” had changed the course of history. While this view is largely scoffed at today, there is no denying that ambitious, driven people have radically affected their societies.
When studying military leaders, it is clear that ambition drove those who reached some of the greatest heights. Alexander the Great, Caesar, Napoleon, Duke of Wellington, Duke of Marlborough, and a host of others were driven by visions of glory. Great business leaders were also transparently ambitious. Astor, Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, Ford, Gates, Buffet, Jobs all were driven so fiercely that they not only overcame their competition; they demolished it. When you read the biographies of these leaders, you continually find that they rose early, worked hard, set high standards, did their homework, and refused to fail. You certainly will not agree with the morality, religious views or ethics of many of these people, but you cannot deny that they succeeded where countless others failed, and in so doing, they changed their world.
What has intrigued me my entire adult life is the origin and nature of the forces that drive people. Why is it some leaders are lackadaisical or careless while others are driven to take their organizations to unprecedented heights? Why can some people lazily shrug their shoulders and declare, “It’s good enough,” while others refuse to settle for anything less than excellence?
There is an interesting story found in 2 Kings 13:14-21. The aging prophet Elisha told King Joash to shoot arrows out a window. Elisha told the monarch that he must strike a blow against the Syrians who were the enemies of God’s people. Then Elisha instructed Joash to strike the ground with the arrows. Joash struck the ground three times. This angered the prophet who lamented, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria until you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times” (2 Kings 13:19). God’s messenger had clearly instructed the king to prophetically “strike” his enemies, but he had been satisfied with doing so only three times. Such a half-hearted response to a divine invitation would have enormous repercussions for God’s people.
Elisha understood holy ambition. When the prophet Elijah had first called him, the young farmer had slaughtered the twelve yokes of oxen and burned up his equipment as a sacrifice. There would be no looking back or second-guessing. As Elijah had approached the end of his life, the aged prophet instructed the young Elisha to remain behind in Bethel (2 Kings 2:4). Elisha would have none of it. Then Elijah suggested he remain in Jericho, but Elisha declined (2 Kings 2:6). Finally Elijah asked his young protégé what he desired. “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me” was his reply (2 Kings 2:9). Some suggest Elisha desired greater power than his master. Others believe he was asking for a spiritual inheritance as the rightful heir. Either way, Elisha boldly asked for all that God had for him. Not surprisingly, the miracles attributed to Elisha were twice those performed by Elijah. Elisha had one life to live for his Lord, and he was not one to do things in half measures.
Sadly, that is not true for every spiritual leader today. It has been my privilege to travel the world and to meet outstanding leaders. These people were constantly reading and growing. They were passionate about their calling. They were optimistic about the future. They worked hard and made great sacrifices. And, they were accomplishing amazing things.
But there have been others. These people claimed they were too busy to read or to attend conferences. They were disinterested in bettering themselves physically, academically, or spiritually. They made the least effort necessary. They felt no shame in mediocrity. They blithely wasted hours of their day in meaningless or frivolous activities. They had no great vision for what God would do through them or their organization. Such people have often been bewildered when they were fired from their company or when their church declined in attendance. How pitiful to be a follower of such indifferent people.
Why are some people so driven and others so casual? There are several possible reasons.
First, it begins with parenting! I grew up in a modest home economically but in a family that believed God would do God-sized things in our lives. University was not an option for me as I graduated from high school! Even though my grades were less than stellar, my parents encouraged me to prepare myself fully for whatever God intended to do through my life in the future. I am so glad my parents helped me believe that God could use even my ordinary life. Other children, however, are never challenged to do much more than to get married, obtain a job, and earn a living. Too many people growing up in Christian homes are being grossly under-challenged.
Second, some people are unaware of what God is capable of doing with their ordinary life. What are the limits to what God could do through one life wholly surrendered to Him? Knowing what God could do, how could anyone be satisfied with anything less?
Third, people get distracted. They focus on secondary issues and unimportant matters and do not aim their lives toward God’s kingdom purposes. Jesus commanded us to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Too many leaders are so consumed with hobbies, entertainments, and mindless activities on the Internet, that they have no time to focus on weighty matters that could exert a major impact for God’s kingdom.
Fourth, many people are too easily satisfied. They are like King Joash who only struck the ground three times rather than like Elisha who boldly asked for a double portion of the spirit of the mighty prophet Elijah. For some, earning a living is satisfactory. For others, nothing less than changing the world will do.
You may be thinking, “Isn’t ambition wrong or sinful?” I would answer resoundingly, no. Ambition for worldly pleasures or for self-centered attainments is dishonoring to God. But striving for all God created you to become and to accomplish, honors God. Desiring to exert the greatest impact for God’s kingdom is a noble way to live. That is the pathway to a life without regrets. That is how you live a life that makes a difference.
So how are you presently motivated? Do you need a boss to be constantly hovering over your shoulder to ensure you do a proper day’s work? Or, would you go the second and third mile even if no one but you ever knew that you did? Are you spending your life fully for Christ? Have you been satisfied with second best or mediocrity? If you are holding yourself back, what are you saving yourself for? I have often been inspired by the life of William Borden, who spent himself fully for Christ. After his premature death, someone found written in his Bible, “No reserves, no retreats, no regrets.” I pray we could all have that written on our tombstones.