CreatorWorship

What drives people to succeed or to even try, and more especially, to keep trying when success appears remote? “The action of taking the first step or move; responsibility for beginning or originating..new ideas or methods; ability to think and act without being urged” (Webster’s New World, 4th edition, 2002) and persisting therein is initiative. If the initiative includes creativity, experimentation, and a knack of getting by with meager resources we perhaps prefer the term enterprising. But both of these terms and a number of others are “whats” not “whys”. As I fish around for what drives people a word that seems ugly to me pops up- ambition. Many will respond that ambition can be good or bad depending on the motive. But the word means “an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment” (www.dictionary.com). You can try to sanctify it but that first and most thought of definition has a negative connotation for the Christian, namely pride and selfishness. There just may not be an English word that means Christ-centered initiative-drive (Yeah, treading where fools know better, but it invites good discussion from those more knowledgeable. Yes, I checked other similar words, but…). But Paul seems to purposefully negate selfishness and pride in the three uses of the Greek word translated “ambition” in the NASB, suggesting a need to sanctify the concept. “Our ambition…to be pleasing to Him” (2 Corinthians 5:9) is other directed. Later verses reveal more of the motivation behind pleasing Him: “knowing the fear of the Lord” (v.11) and “the love of Christ controls us” (v. 14). And I Thessalonians 4:11-12 is not a real charismatic grab for your pride: “make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands,… that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.” There has to be something deeper driving you to persist at that.
And what of non-believers who show initiative in unselfish ways? Is all that nothing more than pride disguised? It certainly isn’t Christ-centered, but I believe common grace both explains some (pride is insidious) of this “unselfish ambition” and gives glory to God in the process. He is the source of all good. What other explanation promotes both unselfishness and the good of the person? God really is glorified in all things (Do you believe that? Think an ugly thought about something really disgusting before you answer- another blog another day perhaps.)
God is The Initiator, driven by His own unalterable, prevenient (non-presupposed by any other) will that shows His glory. Just to try, to plan and figure out how and carry it out, and to continue to try until I succeed all point to the One who initiates in my heart and life all good and all substantial……. I think I’ll go try again.