Missionary Ambition – Is It Good or Bad?
Ambition. It’s not necessarily a good thing. It can be positive when properly focused. In his well-known book, Good to Great, Jim Collins talks about Level 5 leaders. He describes the kinds of leaders who take their companies from a good company to becoming a great company.
These leaders are incredibly ambitious and driven. He goes on to clarify this however, “their ambition is first and foremost for the cause, for the organization and its purpose, not themselves.”
Right Focus Matters
Are you driven by a passion for God and the expansion of His Kingdom? Though Collins is talking about business, the principles are universal. They easily translate to Kingdom work as well.
Ambition for God’s Kingdom is not wrong. Sometimes, we mistake ministry ambition, though, for an unhealthy striving to earn God’s acceptance. This leads to burnout, family problems, addictions, and many unhealthy things within us.
Ministry goals can push you into a performance-based mentality. Rather than living from a place of rest in the Father’s acceptance, you are always wanting more. This isn’t God’s intention for us!
He places big dreams in our hearts. We must always remember, however, it is God who will accomplish these things. It’s not us. While pursuing God-given dreams in an ambitious way, we must also rest in His amazing, absolute and unconditional love.
Paul- An Incredibly Ambitious Leader
Paul, the apostle, was incredibly ambitious for God’s Kingdom to grow. Collins would definitely have called him a Level 5 leader. He pressed on toward the goal God had given him with all he had. In Corinthians, he tells those he is discipling to strive to excel in building up and growing the church.
“So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.”
1 Cor 14:12 ESV
Ambition isn’t wrong. But, there are some things to carefully avoid.
3 Things “Ambitious” Missionaries Should Avoid
1. Don’t Confuse Selfish Ambition with Godly Ambition
This is so subtle! We can easily confuse our passionate desires for expanding God’s Kingdom, with a need to “make something of ourselves.” We want to be noticed as being someone who is successful. Having a big ministry and growing church will make us feel “worthy” of the praise and recognition of others, we think. This perspective is self-motivated, not God motivated.
We must regularly evaluate our hearts as we do ministry! Why are we doing what we are doing…really? Is it so God will be glorified? Or so we will be well-known, recognized, and valued by others?
It is easy to tell when you are swinging into selfish motivations. Do you feel slighted or angry when others don’t notice what you have done? That is a warning sign.
Guard your heart against motivations that flow from a desire to be recognized for what you accomplish.
2. Don’t Try to Earn God’s Love
You don’t need to earn something you’ve already received from God. He loves us! Nothing we can do in ministry or life can make Him love us more. We are already His beloved ones in whom He is well pleased. When you see yourself striving and over-working, ask yourself if you might be trying to earn His love.
Did you have parents or key influencers in your life who loved you only when you succeeded? This can easily be transferred to your view of God. Did you have a father who only praised you when you got high marks in school? Or a teacher who scolded you?
God isn’t like that. His love is unconditional. Relax a bit, and enjoy His blessing. He takes great pleasure in you simply because you are His child.
3. Don’t Push So Hard It Harms Your Family (or Self)
As much as we wish missionary marriages and family life would be automatically good, that is far from true. Keeping your marriage and family healthy takes careful thought and hard work. It is so easy to let ministry demands push in and rob you of quality time with your spouse or children. Don’t allow this! It isn’t worth it.
There are seasons when demands of ministry are greater. Certainly, there are times when we have to sacrifice family time in order to serve. Don’t let that become your norm.
Take quality sabbath days of rest. Play with your kids and enjoy your spouse. Do fun things together. Take a vacation at least once a year.
Be sure that your ambition doesn’t cost you your marriage or your health. That would never be God’s desire or plan. He wants us to be healthy and thriving in our missionary lives and families. Lean into God for better understanding of how to live in that place.
Are You Ambitious?
Maybe you have been reading this and thinking, “I’m really not very ambitious. I used to be but somehow I’ve lost my drive to see the Kingdom grow.” If that is you, ask God to renew your godly ambition once again. It’s a good thing to have!
Or, perhaps you identify with one of the three things above. You realize there are some things you need to avoid. Take a moment to pray and invite God to work in your life. Then, find a friend to share with about that, someone to help you stay accountable to change in this area.
What is God speaking to you about this today? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below or on the Missionary Life Facebook group.