My grandparents have always embodied the spirit of perseverance. Their life together began with stark differences—he was a high school dropout and she was an Ivy League attendee. Despite their backgrounds, they married and ventured into the tumultuous world of entrepreneurship, enduring losses like their business burning down, battling health issues including diabetes and a heart attack, and my grandmother’s brave fight against cancer. Their journey has been a mix of relentless effort and serendipitous grace, marked by moments that seemed to be perfectly orchestrated by providence.
This blend of determination and divine intervention raises a crucial question for many Christians: When should we strive to achieve our goals, and when should we step back and wait for God to move?
The Bible itself presents this dilemma. Consider the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. Here, a unified people speaking a single language set out to build a tower high enough to reach the heavens, to make a name for themselves. Rather than applaud their ambition or unity, God confounds their speech, scattering them across the earth. This response might seem harsh at first glance. It suggests that ambition, while potentially unifying and powerful, isn’t always aligned with God’s will, especially when it exploits others (as the ancient Israelites associated bricks with slavery).
John Wesley, the 17th-century theologian, echoed this sentiment centuries later. He observed that Christians who gained wealth and status often neglected their spiritual fervor and charitable responsibilities. Wesley’s reflection warns us that unchecked ambition can lead us to construct modern-day Babels, edifices of personal success that may inadvertently harm others or distance us from God.
Yet, the Bible doesn’t advocate for passivity either. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25), Jesus criticizes the servant who, out of fear, buries his master’s money instead of investing it. This servant’s inaction is rebuked, not because he is lazy, but because he allowed fear to prevent him from utilizing the potential entrusted to him.
The key, then, is not to avoid ambition or effort but to align our endeavors with God’s purposes—to build not just for ourselves but for the kingdom of God. Our work should not only elevate us but should serve and uplift others, reflecting Christ’s love and compassion.
So how do we navigate this tightrope between action and acquiescence?
- Seek God’s Purpose: Before embarking on any endeavor, seek to understand how it aligns with God’s will. This involves prayer, reflection, and sometimes, community guidance to discern the path God has laid out for you.
- Embrace Humility and Service: Whatever your task or goal, approach it with humility and a heart for service. Success should not be measured merely by personal gain but by the impact and contribution to others’ well-being and God’s kingdom.
- Use Your Gifts Fearlessly: Like the servants in the parable of the talents, we are called to use our gifts courageously and creatively. Fear of failure should not deter us from pursuing actions that could glorify God and help others.
- Recognize Divine Appointments: Be attentive to the opportunities and encounters that God may weave into your path. Providence often plays a role in our endeavors, and recognizing these divine appointments can guide and enhance our efforts.
- Balance Effort with Surrender: Work diligently, but know when to surrender your efforts to God’s hands. Not all outcomes are within our control, and faith sometimes means trusting in God’s timing and plan, even when they diverge from our own.
In conclusion, navigating the journey of faith and ambition requires a delicate balance—using our God-given talents boldly but also recognizing when to pause and let God’s plan unfold. It’s about fighting the good fight with both diligence and dependence, knowing that while we are active participants in our lives, we are ultimately not alone in our endeavors. God walks with us, shaping our paths and blessing our efforts with His providence.
