Reconsidering my ambitions . . .

 

READ Psalm 46–50

Ideas and ambition often exceed time and energy — at least for me. I’ve put in eight decades and want at least two more, not thinking too much about why. So I asked the Lord to tell me. This is the first thing:

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah (Psalm 46:10–11)

“Still” = stop. Stop and think. Who decides the length of life? Who decides what I will do and what is withheld? It is not ambitious me. The next psalm says, “He chose our heritage for us” (47:4) so I don’t have that option. He is the “King of all the earth” and “reigns over the nations” so my life is also in His hands. He may grant a long life but He could take me home today. As the psalmist writes:

Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit. For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. (49:7–12)

Even though the Lord “will ransom my soul from the power of the grave” and “receive me” none of my accomplishments will go with me to that grave.

For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed —and though you get praise when you do well for yourself— his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish. (49:18–20)

Instead of getting caught up in what I’d like to do no matter how good that may appear, He tells me to trust Him, to do what He asks of me in joyful willingness, fitting into His plans and forgetting mine:

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me . . . . The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” (50:14–15; 23)

These words bring me down to earth, to the truth that He leads me one step at a time and I don’t have a clue what’s next or how long this will last. All I do know is that I’m to keep praying; something the devil constantly tries to sidetrack, and remember that God wants the best for me. I need to trust Him to make that happen, not be anxious about my to-do list or concerned about ambitious desires. If they are from Him, they will get done, and if not, they don’t matter!

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

Amen.