Faithful Ambition

There are two great temptations facing many Christians today. In a radically individualistic society, there are many seeking their own path and their own glory; of course with God's help. They strive to conquer with some sort of baptized selfish ambition.

The other temptation is towards a sanctified passivity. These operate under a pseudo-spiritual humility. They view Christian faithfulness as successfully avoiding any attempt to rock the boat. They keep their head down and silently live out their personal faith.    

While there is a trap in the pursuit of position, power, and privilege, the wasting of one's potential should be seen as equally tragic. Too many Christians are so focused on avoiding sin and striving to not do bad things that they fail to do good.

In Joshua 14, we are reacquainted with an 85-year-old man named Caleb. Along with Joshua, he was the only Israelite who was alive when God delivered them from Egypt, parted the Red Sea, gave them the 10 Commandments, and was given the responsibility of spying out the Promise Land 45 years earlier. As the land was being divided among the Tribes of Israel.

Caleb reminded Joshua that God promised to give him the land of his choosing as a reward for wholly following God and believing that God would have given them victory 45 years ago if they had just trusted and obeyed God's promises. Instead of pulling rank and asking for the best and easiest inheritance, Caleb wanted the hill country where the feared giants lived.  

In Caleb, we find a man who was fully faithful and unashamedly ambitious even in his 80's. What hill country and giants are you on your map?