Unexamined Ambition

“Again, I saw vanity under the sun: one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, ‘For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?’ This also is vanity and an unhappy business.” (Eccles. 4:7-8)

In your striving, when was the last time you stopped and asked: 

“Who am I doing this for?”

The question interrupts the damaging fixation on what needs to be done—and brings us to a sober consideration of who we’re doing it for.

We tell ourselves that it is for our families that we overindulge in office hours.

We so fiercely insist on the productive order of the home that we drive a bitter wedge between its members. 

Why the toil? 

Who are we doing this for?

The fool never asks this question. He exhausts himself in the elusive search for satisfaction—all the while neglecting the satisfying relationships that God has already provided.

The antithesis to unhealthy ambition isn’t apathy. It is diligent work, driven by love, carried out at Christ’s pace.

You’ll know the difference by the fruit. 

Ambition drains and isolates. 

Godly diligence fills and attracts.

“Two is better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.” (Eccles. 4:9)

Ambition is an alluring full-on sprint. But it leaves you alone at the end, with no one to share the reward.

It is better to walk—to move at the pace of relationship, preserving intimacy with Christ and people every step of the way.

Always keep in mind who you are toiling for. If it is the Lord, you’ll do it in a way that spreads life to your soul and your surroundings.