Rob Bell on Ambition

I found this podcast from Rob Bell really helpful.  Here’s my summary:

Psalm 8:4-5 “what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?  Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honour.”  You are crammed full of greatness so don’t be surprised that you have a desire to do something amazing!  People are messed up in Genesis 3, yes, but we were created awesome and for awesomeness in Genesis 1.  

Ambition (like fear) is a valuable passenger – but do not let it drive the car or choose the music.  How can you tell ambition is driving?

1.  A haunting exhaustion – pushing too hard and over-committing and you don’t know why
2. You are jealous of others’ success
3. You are not inspired by others but threatened
4. Everything is about making/getting “it” – everything will be great when …
5. You lose all moments of gratitude, wonder and awe – “I get to do this”
6. A sense of entitlement – living is giving, not waiting for a gift you feel you are owed from others
7. No sense of humour – esp. when things go wrong

Own your ambition – take a 1000 whacks at it.

You may have got burned but you can’t put a lion on a leash.  You were given the desires for a reason.  We need your body broken and your blood poured out.

Ambition in its proper place is humbling.