Kingdom Ambition

by Jalexus McClendon

There is a saying “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him about your plans.” I understand the statement and often relate it to the following verse: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21) Have we ever considered that it is not the fact that we have plans, that God finds humor in, but rather the plans and goals we set and expect to achieve without including Him?!?

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.- Psalm 37:4-

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. -Matthew 6:33-

The verses above offers insight into how the key to achieving anything is found in seeking God in everything! Ambition is defined as having a strong desire to do or achieve something. Goal is defined as an aim or desired result; the object of a person’s ambition or effort; or a desired result that you work towards with effort. God desires for us to have ambition but He also desires to be the center. We are given numerous examples in the Bible of people achieving goals. Noah building the ark, Moses leading the Israelite’s to the promised land, and Paul planting churches and helping to bring countless people to faith and ultimately growing the church exponentially, are all goals obtained. Most importantly they were goals obtained according to God’s will and in submission to His leadership.

As we set goals, rather it be spiritual, business, fitness, or relationship related, we must ask ourselves the following questions: does my goal align with God’s will, what is the motive of the goals I set and does the goal bring God glory? The closer we get to God and the more we read His word, the more His will is revealed to us! God’s Word is His Will for our lives and is what fuels our Kingdom ambition. At times there is a negative connotation that comes with someone desiring to be financially wealthy. Someone desiring to have financial stability currently as well as financial prosperity for future generations is not vain! This is another reason why it is so important for us to read our Word and study to show ourselves approved as unto God. Money is not the root of all evil. This statement is based on biblical principal and has gone missed quoted for years. The Word of God reads “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10) It clearly states that SOME coveted after and have erred or fallen away from their faith. But ALL are not subject to placing money before their faith in God. What if your ambition was aimed at securing a new job so that you could take care of your family, have money for missions, and time to serve your community and church family?  What if your goal is to become a skilled musician so that you could worship God and point others to Christ? Or maybe the goal is to start a business to gain financial freedom so that your time and funds can be released to growing the kingdom? Ambition aimed from the foundation of flesh will not produce fruit! We need to continually discern, by the scriptures and through prayer, if we are setting goals to please ourselves, or to bring glory to God!

I mentioned Noah earlier as a prime example of reaching a goal. Let us keep in the forefront of our mind that his goal was a God given goal. We are no different and God will not be silent when letting us know what our purpose is and what His will is for our lives. We must also take into consideration if we have the character to carry through the goal that God gives us.

This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. -Genesis 6:9-

Noah was a biblical goal setter with Kingdom ambition. He was positioned and postured to achieve the God given Goal because He possessed the character traits to carry through. Noah could hear from God! Not only did he hear but he had the faith to obey what God said. The Word also stated that Noah was righteous which simply means in right standing with God.

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. -James 2:26-

A goal has intention and goes beyond a thought! Your Kingdom ambition requires action. Just as Noah got busy building, it is time for you to start moving! Start where you are!! One of the biggest reasons we feel overwhelmed about setting goals is that we often leave God out of the process. It is important that our goals are given by God, bring Glory to God, and are completed with God! Continually seek His guidance and walk in obedience. May your confession be, I have Kingdom ambition. I have a goal and objective that I am working hard for because I want to reap a harvest!

You can follow the author of this post, Jalexus McClendon, on her personal Instagram.