We are all called to be Christlike. Therefore, let’s be encouraged to lay aside all selfish ambition and egotistical desires in favour of seeking first the purposes of God.
I sensed that God wanted me to enter the ministry when I left school but I ignored it. Instead, I attempted to achieve a bachelor of science degree at university. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful in my attempt. However, it was during this year that I heard the distinct call of God into Christian ministry. All other ambitions faded into oblivion. My sole aspiration was to become a full-time minister. Finally, ten years after leaving school, God opened the door for me to enter the ministry.
Sadly, however, I became consumed by my ambition to do the work of the Lord, taking my eyes off the Lord of the work. Nothing else was important to me. I had my opinions and that’s all that mattered. My marriage began to flounder. My eyes were fixed on the job. I’d lost the purpose of my calling: to first seek the kingdom and righteousness of God.
Jesus had a calling on his life. He had the most supreme calling any man could have. Jesus was called to be Saviour of the world. His sole ambition was to do the will of his Father. At about the age of 33, after completing his work as a teacher and healer, Jesus, the Son of God, was confronted with a choice: to do or reject the will of his Father. In Gethsemane, he cried out, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup from me.” I believe this was one of the final temptations that Jesus faced. But then he adds, “Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.”
…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith
Hebrews 12:2(a)
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, laid aside all natural ambition to become the great political reformer that his disciples thought he’d become. Jesus rejected the temptation to express his own opinion or follow any other ambition save that of fulfilling the purposes of God. He practiced what he preached. He sought first the kingdom of God.
Jesus is called the author and finisher of our faith. He is our example of a godly lifestyle. We are all called to be Christlike. Therefore, let’s be encouraged to lay aside all selfish ambition and egotistical desires in favour of seeking first the purposes of God, knowing that, as we do, all that we will ever need for life and living will be added to us as well.
God-tracking is submitting solely to his Kingdom purposes.
IT’S ALL IN THE BIBLE. READ ALL ABOUT IT.
Get into the word of God and get the word of God into you!
Matthew 6:33
Mark 14:32-36
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This post is part of Dudley’s weekly GodTracker devotional series. You can also listen to his GodTracker podcast.
