{"id":4488,"date":"2026-04-15T19:14:56","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T19:14:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/muscularchristianityonline.com\/platform\/?p=4488"},"modified":"2026-04-15T19:20:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T19:20:16","slug":"i-dare-you-part-iii-ambition-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/muscularchristianityonline.com\/platform\/?p=4488","title":{"rendered":"I Dare You – Part III | Ambition"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"IV) Ambition<\/strong> \u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

A) Two Words<\/div>\n

My Dad loved to debate. Give him a topic that he could sink his teeth to and buckle up because it was like drinking from a fire hydrant \u2013 just a barrage of verbiage. That\u2019s what made his response to a question I posed to him so significant and so memorable to me.<\/p>\n

I asked him, \u201cHow do you know Christianity is true?\u201d<\/p>\n

His answer: \u201cIt works.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two words! And yet, within those two words you have the bottom line that characterizes any truism.<\/p>\n

Does it work? Does it make sense and does it resonate practically? \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

B) Yardage Versus Touchdowns<\/div>\n

Christianity does work and it makes a substantial difference at every level of the human experience. One area in particular is ambition \u2013 the desire to succeed and the fulfillment that comes from accomplishing something significant. Left unchecked by something profound, ambition can consume a person and reduce them to something either pathologically selfish or utterly disillusioned to the point of despair.<\/p>\n

Money and other apparent indicators of success is a lot like yardage.<\/p>\n

On September 13th, 2009, the Denver Broncos squared off against the Cincinnati Bengals. When it was all said and done, the Bengals had gained a total of 307 yards, the Broncos, 302.<\/p>\n

Yet, the Broncos won.17<\/sup><\/p>\n

While the Bengals had more in the way of total net yards, it was the Broncos that came out on top.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s almost exasperating, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n

Sometimes it seems that no matter how hard you work, the prize you\u2019re pursuing seems perpetually out of reach and in those rare moments where you\u2019re able to achieve the thing that you\u2019ve been working towards, by the following day another goal has taken its place. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

C) Solomon\u2019s Essay \u2013 The Whole Duty of Man<\/div>\n

King Solomon was king of the Jews and reigned for approximately 40 years.18<\/sup> At one point he wrote an essay that elaborated on the plight of human beings, as far as what it is that drives them and produces lasting fulfillment.<\/p>\n

What makes his writing so compelling is that he had the resources necessary to conduct the kind of experiments that he did. By virtue of his immense wealth and intelligence, he could test the empirical power of different stimuli to produce true satisfaction.<\/p>\n

He reflected on the allure of riches and accomplishment as well as the pursuit of knowledge, pleasure and power. In the end he concludes that the only thing that truly matters is your relationship with God and the sense of significance that you enjoy is directly related to the degree of obedience you render to your Heavenly Father:<\/p>\n

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecc 12:13)<\/strong><\/div>\n

To go back to our initial illustration, while yardage is an indicator of sorts, in the end the only thing that really counts is the scoreboard. And the scoreboard, in this instance, is what you\u2019re able to do that endures beyond today and echoes through all eternity.\u00a0In other words, it\u2019s only your obedience to God that produces the lasting impact and fulfillment we desire.<\/p>\n

In some ways, this might seem overly philosophical and not especially practical. But Solomon is not alone in his recognition of the mirage that is represented by believing that the acquisition of power and success will satisfy our need for fulfillment.<\/p>\n

\"\"In June of 2005, Tom Brady was the quarterback for the New England Patriots. He was 27 at the time and had recently won his third Superbowl. Those victories combined with his other accomplishments represented what most would define as a legitimate reason to feel like they had arrived and were now basking in the light of a fulfilling and problem-free existence.<\/p>\n

But that wasn\u2019t the case.<\/p>\n

At one point, Tom said:<\/p>\n

Why do I have three Super Bowl rings, and still think there’s something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, <\/em>
\n“Hey man, this is what is.” I reached my goal, my dream, my life. Me, I think: God, it’s gotta be more than this. I mean this can’t be what it’s all cracked up to be. I mean I’ve done it. I’m 27. And what else is there for me?<\/em>19<\/sup><\/p>\n

Compare that to some of the observations Solomon made:<\/p>\n

4<\/sup> I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well\u2014the delights of a man\u2019s heart. 9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. 10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.\u2028My heart\u00a0took delight\u00a0in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil.11Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve,\u2028everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecc 2:4-11)<\/strong><\/div>\n

It\u2019s appropriate at this point to underscore the fact that Solomon wasn\u2019t some dark and depressed personality who was incapable of enjoying anything. At one point he says:<\/p>\n

I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly \u2013 my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives. (Ecc 2:3)<\/strong><\/div>\n

Solomon is maintaining a sound perspective throughout all his experiments and observations. He\u2019s not melancholy, he\u2019s simply observing the hollowness of the human experience regardless of how embellished it may be with those things that supposedly provide a sense of worth and satisfaction.<\/p>\n

In a similar way, Tom Brady is not clinically depressed when he takes a step back and observes the way in which material things and human accomplishments \u2013 regardless of their substance and significance \u2013 fail in providing true and enduring satisfaction.<\/p>\n

The fact of the matter is the goal posts never stop moving. There is never a place where another level of accomplishment isn\u2019t apparent. And in the same way, there\u2019s no earthly prize that cannot either be taken away or stripped of its luster with the passage of time.<\/p>\n

Regardless of how you attempt to evaluate it, the very nature of our world is transient and it is therefore foolish to define ourselves according to a paradigm that is neither durable nor stable. To use Solomon\u2019s phrase, it is \u201cmeaningless.\u201d \u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0D) All Your Might<\/div>\n

Still, this is not our cue to refrain from being excellent at what we do or less than aggressive in the marketplace. In the same Divinely inspired text authored by Solomon he says:<\/p>\n

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…(Ecc 9:10)<\/strong><\/div>\n

In a similar vein, Colossians 3:17 says:<\/p>\n

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:17 [see also Prov 22:29; 2 Thess 3:10])<\/strong><\/div>\n

Cloaking a bad work ethic or veiling laziness by holding up a Bible and insisting that your being a slacker is justified in that you\u2019re refraining from being materialistic is a distortion of Scripture.<\/p>\n

You are commanded to work hard and strive for excellence in whatever you set your mind to do. But you don\u2019t do so in a way where your activity defines who you are.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s there where your identity and your overall perspective is dictated by your status in the marketplace that you consign yourself to a life of yardage rather than touchdowns. \u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

E) The Validation of Obedience<\/div>\n

So. here is yet another reason to recognize the Bible as being the Word of God and to accept it as True from cover to cover. The life that is characterized by a relentless pursuit of that which God would do through your obedience to Him produces a sense of purpose and fulfillment that is enduring. It\u2019s not just \u201cnoble,\u201d it\u2019s the most reasonable approach that one can take in light of the alternative being an existence founded on temporary plateaus and insatiable appetites. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

F) Spiritual Commodities<\/div>\n

Another way to look at it is to consider that everything we pine for is a spiritual commodity.<\/p>\n

While we desire wealth, it\u2019s not the mere accumulation of money, it\u2019s the sense of peace that financial security provides. We want a particular thing because of the joy it produces when we have it in our possession. We seek to be accepted and loved by those we admire. It\u2019s not just a physical exchange, it\u2019s an emotional craving.<\/p>\n

At every turn, the \u201cthing\u201d we want is something intangible and therefore a spiritual article. Now look at Galatians 5:22-23:<\/p>\n

22<\/sup> But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)<\/strong><\/div>\n

The \u201cfruit\u201d of the Spirit is the result of the Spirit\u2019s activity within you. If you go down the list of the qualities that are produced as a result of Christ living in and through you, you recognize them as the very things that we as human beings desire to have and experience.<\/p>\n

Yet, if we attempt to realize those things through any means other than that which is founded upon one\u2019s relationship with Christ, the end result is less than fulfilling.<\/p>\n

If you want peace and you determine that its finances that will deliver that sense of well being you\u2019re looking for, go back to Tom Brady\u2019s interview and revisit his sense of disillusion when contemplating his achievements and resources. If you want something more authoritative, consider Solomon\u2019s comments in Ecclesiastes 5:10:<\/p>\n

Whoever loves money, never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. (Ecc 5:10)<\/strong><\/div>\n

If its joy you want and you\u2019re determined that what you seek is best experienced in the context of the amusements and pleasures that lie before you, you\u2019re obligated to an existence that is forever frustrated by the fact that you continually need more in order to enjoy the same level of fulfillment. There\u2019s always a bigger flat screen to possess, a bigger boat, a faster car \u2013 there\u2019s no one thrill that produces an enduring sense of satisfaction.<\/p>\n

While we as human beings crave love, many will seek to satisfy that longing by defaulting to the self- absorbed facsimile of love otherwise known as lust. The difference being that love is all about giving and lust is all about getting. If your approach to romance and intimacy is based on a self serving premise, the level of fulfillment you\u2019re destined to experience is extremely limited compared to the alternative where you\u2019re consistently focused on the gratification of your sweetheart.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s not just about sex and marriage. In Acts 20:35, it says:<\/p>\n

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: \u2018It is more blessed to give than to receive.\u2019 \u201d (Acts 20:35)<\/strong><\/div>\n

With that as a backdrop, look at what Mental Health America\u2019s \u201cLive Your Life Well\u201d website says about people who are focused on the well being of others rather than themselves:<\/p>\n

Research indicates that those who consistently help other people experience less depression, greater calm, fewer pains and better health. They may even live longer.<\/em>20<\/sup><\/div>\n

While there is a tendency to regulate Biblical admonishments to serve others as being noble but not always practical, the truth is it\u2019s not only practical, it\u2019s very healthy.<\/p>\n

So by approaching relationships using the Truth of Scripture as your guide, you\u2019re not only experiencing the kind of enduring love you need, but you\u2019re also healthier than what is yielded by a more secular approach. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

G) Who He Is Not What He Gives<\/div>\n

We are driven to quench our thirst for substance and significance. We long for success in our endeavors, but if we want to secure points and not just \u201cyardage,\u201d we need to focus on that which goes beyond the transient environment we exist in and instead concentrate on the eternal domain that we truly live in. And when we determine to qualify our ambitions according to God\u2019s Power and Direction working through us, we don\u2019t do so for a particular result, as much as we surrender to Christ simply to gain Him.<\/p>\n

The blessings He provides are secondary to the Lord and Savior that He is. It\u2019s not the trappings of life that we\u2019re going for, it\u2019s the definition of life \u2013 the Life that is only available in and through Him.<\/p>\n

This can be a tough pill to swallow and it\u2019s one of the reasons that so many opt for either a diluted form of Christianity or a perspective intentionally devoid of a Christian perspective altogether.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s only hard if you overlook the foundational realities of the world we live in.<\/p>\n

While the Fruit of the Spirit is appealing and it makes sense to perceive it as the core of what we all as human beings desire, it is realized only through denying yourself as opposed to gratifying yourself.<\/p>\n

This lands in a good place.<\/p>\n

Go with me, here… \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

1) The Inner Man<\/div>\n

Luke 9:23 says:<\/p>\n

23<\/sup> Then he said to them all: \u201cWhoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24<\/sup> For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25<\/sup> What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? (Lk 9:23-25)<\/strong><\/div>\n

Some will interpret this passage to be a call to asceticism or an extreme form of self-denial. But here\u2019s the thing: It\u2019s not what you give or what you possess that defines you, your identity is defined according to what is in your heart. Look at Proverbs 4:23:<\/p>\n

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Prov4:23)<\/strong><\/div>\n

…and also Luke 6:45:<\/p>\n

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. (Lk 6:45)<\/strong><\/div>\n

The heart, according to Scripture, is who you truly are and it\u2019s the heart that is reviewed by God as He considers your thoughts, your words and your actions. While we as human beings might be overly impressed with what can be seen on the outside, God is able to see deeper and clearer by being able to peer into the inner man.<\/p>\n

then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive, and deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know the human heart), (2 Chron 6:30)<\/strong><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 10 \u201cI the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.\u201d (Jer 17:9-10)<\/strong><\/div>\n

The heart is where we experience the tension that occurs when our desires are not being addressed the way we want them to be (see Ecc 2:20). It\u2019s here where it\u2019s determined how we will quench our thirst for fulfillment and significance (see Lk 12:34). And it\u2019s here that God needs to be positioned as the Supreme Manager over the entire process because it\u2019s when He\u2019s in charge that you\u2019re able to get beyond the kiddie rides and experience the big roller coasters.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re now into what is truly substantial as opposed to what is ultimately revealed as trivial. You\u2019re scoring points rather than accumulating yardage! You can see this Ephesians 3:16-21. Take a look:<\/p>\n

\u201c… that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height– 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen\u201d(Eph 3:16-21 [NKJV]).<\/strong><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
H) The Fullness of God<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t want to gloss over this verse as nothing more than a collection of \u201cchurchy\u201d sounding clich\u00e9s that don\u2019t resonate with any meaning in the secular marketplace.<\/p>\n

Throughout the entire book of Ephesians, Paul uses a phrase: \u201cfor this reason.\u201d It\u2019s a continual progression of Truths that crescendo into a logical conclusion that is downright motivating.<\/p>\n

In chapter three, we\u2019re a little more than half way through His treatise. But even within the above five verses we have a motivating picture of what can result when Christ is given control over our inner man.<\/p>\n

Picking up with verse 17, if Christ is occupying a position of Absolute Leadership in your heart as a result of your having accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, you\u2019re now able to \u201cget\u201d just how freakishly amazing His Love is. And it\u2019s a result of catching a glimpse of that Love that you\u2019re filled with the fullness of God. It\u2019s that \u201cfullness\u201d that translates into the Fruits of the Spirit. The things that you and I want are all bound up in what we have access to when we\u2019re overwhelmed by the fullness of God.<\/p>\n

The \u201cfullness of God\u201d is simply a term referring to the fact that you\u2019re firing on all cylinders. All that God would offer, all that God would do in and through you, all that you would do, feel and experience as a result of God\u2019s Presence dominating your existence \u2013 that is the fullness of God and friend, that\u2019s what you and I want even when we think we want something else.<\/p>\n

Remember, the \u201cthing\u201d we want is ultimately a spiritual commodity. The only True Source for love, joy, peace etc. is the Author of those things. If you\u2019ve caught a glimpse of God\u2019s Love for you, then:<\/p>\n