The search for significance is not wicked in itself; no evil dwells in the desire of achievement. To improve our performance adds to self-esteem while making us more productive in the process. If our climb is over the dead and mutilated bodies of other people, then the aspiration for significance has run amuck.
R. C. Sproul in In Search of Dignity presents a very interesting concept. More than interesting it is one that has intrigued me. Yes, the desire of achievement is honourable, but what of contentment? Complacency is certainly evil, but so is a lack of contentment. How much is enough? How far is enough? I am often driven by my ambitions, sometimes I am also haunted by them. The Bible encourages ambition in I Timothy 3:1 ("If any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do." NASB). I suppose what matters is the intention or heart behind it all. Many times my ambitions are self-driven. Being an overseer is an honourable intention because it is not for self-promotion but for the promotion of others. It is not about climbing "over the dead and mutilated bodies of other people" but about caring, healing, and even resurrecting other people. So as long as the intentions that govern my ambitions are honourable (basically of a selfless nature) they are appropriate. That is, I guess, the point. To be content with your own station in life but never complacent of others. Rather to be always expectant of them. Good expectations, naturally. Nothing too crazy or out of the way.
No comments:
Post a Comment