What It Means To Be Ambitious
For most of us, the word ambition draws up memories of hungry salespeople, entrepreneurs, or maybe even someone like a mountain climber. It’s a strong word, used to describe the few and far between. But in the book of 1 Thessalonians, the apostle Paul shares the following:
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.*”
It’s an interesting juxtaposition to consider the word “ambition” and the phrase “a quiet life” in the same sentence. What does it mean to live an ambitiously quiet life? For context, it was written to a group of people who had grown restless and undisciplined**. Once the Thessalonians heard the gospel, they grew in anticipation for the return of Jesus, as we all should. But they became so transfixed with the second coming that they began to forgo their daily tasks and responsibilities.
In response, Paul issues a command for them to lead a quiet life, to mind their own business and not be dependent on anybody. By this it does not mean that we should segregate ourselves in an American suburb and live our own lives. Rather, we should strive eagerly to fulfill our duties to our work, our family, and our community. Our ambition should be one of zeal, that our hope of eternal life remains strong while we maintain stewardship over what God has given us. And it is through this embracing of responsibility that we exhibit a quiet life, not one of low accomplishment but one of a calm, restful spirit. For God’s spirit is not one of neglecting duties but one of diligence and a non-anxious presence. In the cultivation of an internal quiet soul, we show the external world that there is hope.
That might seem like a heavy burden, but the beauty of this command is that we are given an entire life to work on it. Just like the Thessalonians, we will trip and fall on the way to figuring it out. For now, know that whatever God has given you, he has given you to steward wisely and diligently. Work hard on what is before you, help the people in your path, and hold on to the hope of eternal life. Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.
*1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 **2 Thessalonians 3:11-12
