Fuel or Fire Hazard? ⚠️

My daughter Rosie is almost four, and right now she is all about two things: asking questions and Disney princesses.

Which means I am all about two things as well: making up answers, and finally watching the movies my wife grew up on. Turns out, they aren't all thaaaat bad. Kinda...

Because she is almost four, Rosie often tells me she wants to “be a real princess one day.” I do not think she knows what the word ambition means yet, but that is exactly what she is expressing: a desire for what she wants to become.

And honestly, it is fun for me as a dad to hear. But it also makes me wonder how to steer and steward her ambitions well. 

What about you? What do you dream of achieving? What are you ambitious about right now? And as a follower of Jesus, what role does ambition play in light of your new identity in Him?

That is a tough one, isn’t it?

On one hand, culture tells us that ambition should be our ultimate pursuit. Chase it, climb higher, never stop.

On the other hand, the Christian message can sometimes sound like, “Be careful, ambition is dangerous, do not let it distract you from your calling.”

So which is it?

I believe ambition itself is not the problem. Ambition is actually God-given. It is the spark He placed in us to build, create, expand, and make an impact. It can be the very fuel He uses in our partnership with Him to redeem the world.

But here is the tension: ambition can either push you deeper into God’s calling for your life, or it can drag you into selfish striving that leaves you hollow.

The difference is not the ambition itself. The difference is what is at the center of it.

When Christ is at the core of your ambition, it becomes fuel.

When self is at the core, it becomes a fire hazard.

1. Everyone has ambition, but not everyone stewards it well.

Some bury it. Some misuse it. Others redeem it. You get to choose. 

(Read Matthew 25:14-30) 

2. Ambition is neutral.

It is not sinful to want to grow, build, or succeed. The question is whether you are chasing purpose or chasing applause.

3. God does not call us to kill our ambition; He calls us to align it.

He designed you to want more, but that “more” must be tied to His Kingdom, not your ego.

Look at Paul. Before his encounter with Christ, his zeal, passion, intellect, and drive were all aimed at persecuting the church. When Jesus called him, those same qualities were not erased; they were redirected. His entrepreneurial spirit, boldness, and leadership skills were all used by God for Kingdom impact. Paul planted churches, mentored leaders, and spread the gospel across the known world.

God does not want to change the personality He gave you. He wants to redirect it toward something much greater than yourself.

4. Motives matter.

Solomon built with wisdom. He also spiraled when his ambition shifted inward. Your why matters more than your what.

5. Self-serving ambition leads to burnout.

Chasing status or comparison will eventually hollow you out. It is the undisciplined pursuit of more. Anxiety is always on the other side of self serving ambition. 

6. God-rooted ambition creates legacy.

When your goals are anchored in Christ, they are not just about achievement. They are about the impact that lasts.

Take a minute to test your ambition. Answer each with a Yes or No:

1. My ambition is tied to something bigger than myself.

2. If I failed tomorrow, my identity in Christ would stay steady.

3. The people around me are blessed by my ambition, not burned or viewed as competition by it.

4. My ambition is fueled more by purpose than by pressure or comparison.

5. I can honestly say my goals draw me closer to Christ, not further away.

• 4–5 Yeses: Your ambition is healthy. Stay rooted, keep Christ at the center.

• 2–3 Yeses: Some drift is happening. Realign your “why” and invite God back into the driver’s seat.

• 0–1 Yes: Your ambition is running you. Stop, reset, and return to your first love, Christ.

Let me end with an invitation to not just have ambition, but rather to have aligned ambition. Christ does not want to kill your drive; He wants to give it purpose.

Ambition can feel like a blessing, and other times it can feel like a burden. If you are having a hard time spotting healthy patterns or breaking destructive ones, Yo Pro is here to walk with you. Together, we can help you build ambition that leaves a legacy and keeps Christ at the center of your story.

As always, let us know how we can help you navigate your world as you navigate the world.

In Your Corner.

See you next Tuesday!