Ambition

Hello, and welcome to this week’s devotional. We’re going to be talking about ambition, and how that should look in our lives.

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-15)

Ambition is a complicated word. In the world, ambition often points us toward success, recognition, money, or power. It’s about climbing the ladder, winning the race, and making a name for ourselves.

But Paul redefines ambition for the Christian. He’s not trying to build a platform or boast in accomplishments. In fact, earlier in this chapter, he lists all the impressive things he once found pride in—and then calls them garbage compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8).

So what’s Paul ambitious for? The goal isn’t comfort or acclaim. The goal is Christ.

He’s not stuck in his past: whether failures or victories. He doesn’t even claim to have “arrived.” Instead, he’s reaching forward with holy ambition. Not to earn salvation, but to grow deeper into the life Christ died to give him.

This is a beautiful picture of godly ambition. It’s not self-centered. It’s not stagnant. It’s not competitive. It’s Christ-centered, forward-facing, and heavenward-bound.

This week, let’s take a look at what we’re driven by. Are our ambitions centered on Christ, or are we chasing something else? Whether it’s career goals, personal dreams, or even ministry work, let’s make sure our ambition is anchored in Him. Ask yourself: what am I pressing toward? Have a wonderful week, and God bless!