Jonathan95
Puritan Board Sophomore
Being a young man as I am, I sometimes fall easily into the trap of comparing myself to those around me. 25 years of age, no college degree, no big career track to follow, no spouse, etc. The predominate culture, I believe, would tell me to do all that I could to be successful and move out ASAP and get a wife and build a family, make a ton of money and so on and so forth.
I recently finished reading The Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs and I thought it was great. Incredibly convicting. With that said, it's almost as if that now that I'm beginning to get a grasp on how to grow in contentment that the pressure is on. And I feel like, not only the secular culture but even the church would want me to have a little more fire under my footing.
With this said, I know that it's more of a heart issue and varies by individual person and situation.
Still, as vague as the question might come off, is it foolish to not be ambitious. I don't mean to be lazy. Yes, I get that much.
I feel like when someone is described as "ambitious' it conjures up images of someone who is constantly on the move through their checklist for life.
Again, I do no good to compare myself to others. Still, sometimes I am led to feel as if by working on contentment of spirit, I am not being grateful for opportunities the Lord gives to "move forward" through life.
It's difficult to explain. I never want to be slothful and lazy, nor passive in a negative sense. What is a biblical "go-getter"? I would think that being one who continually strives to grow in sanctification and holiness inwardly does make me "ambitious" to a degree.
I suppose a lot of the time I feel as if I should want to do so much more. But truthfully, I am thankful for what I have and am ok where I am.
Sorry my thoughts are all over the place. I welcome any questions, comments, or concerns.
I recently finished reading The Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs and I thought it was great. Incredibly convicting. With that said, it's almost as if that now that I'm beginning to get a grasp on how to grow in contentment that the pressure is on. And I feel like, not only the secular culture but even the church would want me to have a little more fire under my footing.
With this said, I know that it's more of a heart issue and varies by individual person and situation.
Still, as vague as the question might come off, is it foolish to not be ambitious. I don't mean to be lazy. Yes, I get that much.
I feel like when someone is described as "ambitious' it conjures up images of someone who is constantly on the move through their checklist for life.
Again, I do no good to compare myself to others. Still, sometimes I am led to feel as if by working on contentment of spirit, I am not being grateful for opportunities the Lord gives to "move forward" through life.
It's difficult to explain. I never want to be slothful and lazy, nor passive in a negative sense. What is a biblical "go-getter"? I would think that being one who continually strives to grow in sanctification and holiness inwardly does make me "ambitious" to a degree.
I suppose a lot of the time I feel as if I should want to do so much more. But truthfully, I am thankful for what I have and am ok where I am.
Sorry my thoughts are all over the place. I welcome any questions, comments, or concerns.