Give Up Your Small Ambition

Daily Scripture Threshing for Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Today’s Text: Matthew 20:20-28

Key Verse: Matthew 20:26 (NIV): “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”

No matter how lofty a man’s desire or ambition is; it it still too little when compared to the all-surpassing prospect of God's plan for him. We have all heard how it is written, eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, neither has it entered into the hearts of men, the things which God has prepared for them that love him. Unfortunately, we seem to prefer to hold unto our fractured little plans. As a young man, I had great ambition and a pathway to an expected future that I nurtured and planned for myself. But on September 26, 1989, God stepped into my personal agenda not to obstruct it; but to reconstruct it. He told me: “Son, give up your small ambitions and watch what I can make of any life that is fully surrendered.” These words mark the turn about face in my entire mindset and life.

Our Lord, knowing that pride is man’s most easy besetter, wants to help us out. So, He takes time out, in this text, to address the sinfulness of ambition. He leaves us a lesson that seeking to outdo others rather than focusing on kingdom service is a subtle denial of the spirit of the service. He challenges us to pull down and put off the vanity of ambition. A proud soul loses divine favor while a humble spirit receives goodwill and grace from God. In our key text, the opening clause indicates that selfish ambition is associated with unregenerate men; but it shall not be so among you. Let the kings of the earth lord it over them; but in the kingdom of our Lord, leaders must walk in the footsteps of the Savior who refuses to hold unto being equal with God but instead humbled himself to become a man. They must learn the joy of laying down their pride for the sake of the one who laid down His life. They must lead for the good of the flock rather than for self-seeking/serving interests. They must give up their small ambitions.

Quote for the Day: “Service itself is Christians’ truest and highest greatness. To a child of God, the place, nature and extent of service does not matter as the service itself." (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: O Lord, please breathe fresh grace of service to your glorious kingdom and to the brethren upon my soul, in Jesus' name. Amen.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

The Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

[Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide written for free distribution and edification of churches, families, homes, and individuals. If you are blessed by this, you can be a part of it by giving a one-time or recurring donation. To give through Zelle and CashApp, please use or call +1 (407) 360-8280. For inquiries, free spiritual counseling, prayer, or deliverance, please call +1 (469) 332-3443. For instant messaging and WhatsApp, use ‪‪‬‬ +1 (817) 822-8441.

Send | Share | Subscribe | Support