Ambition and expectations

Sometimes the obvious truth is right beneath our feet in the world of common sense.

Take ambition, expectations and contentment.

Ambition is our future aspiration. With it we can be stretched and achieve more of our God-given potential with our God-given talents and opportunities. Without ambition we are apt to be people who under-use God's talents and opportunities which remain safely buried and unproductive. But unbalanced ambition (eg Phil 2:3; James 4:14&16) can lead to an eternal discontent in which the 'peace that passes understanding' (Phil 4:7) eludes us and we are discontent whether in riches or poverty.

Expectations are our assessment of what will and can happen. Now this is tricky. There's good evidence that people with higher expectations tend to see higher results. And vice versa. But the trick is this: when our expectations exceed realism we are apt to be crushed with despair at what could have been but is not.

Here's a path of wisdom: contentment and achievement are found through a mix of lofty ambitions and realistic expectations.  Lofty ambitions keep us stretching to our ability and realistic expectations keep us from despair.

Hence Phil 4:11-13. Paul models confidence of being able '... to do all things through him who strengthens me' (godly ambition) but has also learned to be content in whatever circumstances he was placed by God.

There is balance. Paul's life shows a constant pushing of himself for lofty ambitions. Note though that these are ambitions are not for his own advancement or comfort but for God's kingdom honour (eg Phil 1:12-18). But even when afflictions and discouragements come his way he is not crushed nor driven to despair but seeks to carry the marks of Jesus' death in order to also carry his life (eg 2 Cor 4:7-11). And so Paul can be content even if his lofty plans go upside down.

Two stories of people I know (names changed) show the danger of separating lofty ambitions and low expectations.

Jill was very happy with her life so long as there was food for that day and money to pay whatever bill was due that day. Her low expectations mean that contentment came easy.  But Jill was functioning far below her abilities, depending on other family members to bail her out and was making no provision for the future. Her lack of ambition meant that she bumped along the bottom of her God-given abilities and possibilities.

Jane had a trophy husband, drove a Porsche, had a stellar career, was multi talented and was able to take dream holidays every year. Others envied her and wish they had just a share of her life. But Jane was perennially unhappy and always reaching for the next goal in the empty hope of finding happiness. Unrestrained and misplaced ambition coupled with unrealistic expectations of her trophies left her discontent.

What is your mix of ambition and expectations?