Rescuing Ambition

The more I've thought about issues that shape cultural definitions of womanhood, the more I see that ambition is at the root. What should women be ambitious for? Is it a big house? A rich husband? A celebrated financial career? Well-behaved and successful children? Partner in the firm? An Olympic gold medal? A yoga body?

The ambitions women have often create feminine stereotypes--think gold-digger, homewrecker or corporate ice queen. But those caricatures just point to the seriousness of women's ambitions.

That may not be what you expected me to say. Some people seem to expect that women have less overall ambition than men. Others expect Christians not to have any ambition at all. Still far more people in our culture think we should all be unhindered to pursue every one of our dreams, without any obligation to others. But no matter how obviously expressed, we are all wired for glory. Women can seek the glory that comes from turning heads with their beauty or the glory that comes from finding a cure for cancer. Or anything in between.

The truth is, Jesus expects us to be ambitious (Matt 13:44). He wants us to seek rewards (Matt 6:19-21). But He points us to the goals and rewards that are eternal and don't waste away here on earth . So while we argue about women's roles in our culture and what to do with our feminine ambitions, Jesus has already said: "Bring it on." That's my paraphrase, of course. But He's not afraid of the fact He created us to seek glory. But He wants to direct it to what's worth living for. And that's a perspective that is not often introduced when female ambition is debated.

That's why I think it is important for women to read Rescuing Ambition, Dave Harvey's new book on the topic. We all have ambition, but where it is aimed and how it is used is worth serious consideration. With self-effacing humor, Dave reveals how being wired for glory can either corrupt us or lead us to a divine agenda. It's a great read--meaty yet conversational. I highly recommend it. Check out the video below and the additional videos and materials on the Rescuing Ambition website. 

Comments

[EM]

Excellent. I'm reading this book now and find it engagingly written and relevant for me personally.

You mention the stereotypes and I've never heard female ambition mentioned positively before. Just the other day at church a brother referred to this as a "men's book." It's one huge step to realize that there is such a thing as God-centered ambition. It might be an even bigger step to realize that women are ambitious too - and our ambition can be rightly or wrongly centered / directed.

I too need my ambition rescued and that's good news because I have a Savior whose glory is worth being ambitious about and displaying through all that I do.

[Danice Collins]

So many good books and so little time. But, I plan to get this one! Thanks Carolyn!

[Lisa writes...]

Have it and can't wait to read it. As one who feels the tension between ambition and denying myself, I am eager to learn how to bring glory to God through sanctified ambition.

[LivewithFlair]

I love this video and this post! I've been letting God lead me in my dreams and seeing him, day by day, deliver me from the pursuit of prestige and wealth. It's a refining process to find the true self and the true calling.

[Charissa Steyn]

Thanks for posting this! My hubby and I have been discussing ambitions and dreams lately.

Just found your blog from the Boundless site! I am encouraged by your writing :)