I am a very ambitious person. I have been this way for as long as I can remember. I am sure my ambitious nature stems from the fear of being dependent on others or a burden to others. Being ambitious has both pros and cons just like anything else. The pros are I take initiative and I don’t see failure as an option. The cons are I take initiative and I don’t see failure as an option. Everyday of my christian journey I have to constantly remind myself that I am not in control and that God is. I tend to want to get stuff done. The problem is I can get ahead of God instead of waiting on His timing. I can also get so focused on successfully executing what I thought was the plan, that I begin to do things my own way versus following Gods precise instructions. 

I have learned that doing things my own way causes me to be arrogant and self-sufficient which is the complete opposite of what God desires from and for me. Isaiah 66:3-4 says, 

“But those who choose their own ways—

delighting in their detestable sins—

will not have their offerings accepted.

When such people sacrifice a bull,

it is no more acceptable than a human sacrifice.

When they sacrifice a lamb,

it’s as though they had sacrificed a dog!

When they bring an offering of grain,

they might as well offer the blood of a pig.

When they burn frankincense,

it’s as if they had blessed an idol.

4I will send them great trouble—

all the things they feared.

For when I called, they did not answer.

When I spoke, they did not listen.

They deliberately sinned before my very eyes

and chose to do what they know I despise.”

I realized that I can be doing good deeds out of external compliance but in my heart I have not submitted to God’s leading. All that I have done and do apart from God’s leading is like pagan worship. There is a huge contrast between living a humble life with a profound reverence for God’s instruction and guidance and living a life dictated by our own choices. God shows mercy to the humble but the proud and self-sufficient area cursed. I believe this is so because when we make choices, we often make choices that are motivated by our sinful, self-pleasing nature.

Do you make choices that lead or take you away from God’s pathway?