The problem with “ambition” is that it is a dirty word among Christians. It is intrinsically bad, or sinful, or wrong in the eyes of many people. It sounds selfish. It sounds worldly. But it is not.

There. I said it. The cat is out of the bag. I am an ambitious person. And I believe that God wants me to be.

Apparently Paul was fairly ambitious as well. His famous statement that he forgets the past and strives towards the future is quoted by many Christians and self-help gurus alike. Ambition is a normal part of our human existence. What makes our ambition “spiritual” has more to do with the rest of Paul’s quote. He says that his ambition is to “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 NIV).

Now we’re talking…