“Three common misconceptions can keep us from having great ambitions.”

A thought by Rick Warren from his book, God's Answers to Life's Difficult Questions (Living with Purpose) (p. 66). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Ok, maybe this is what you need today.

Rick says, “The first misconception is that we confuse fear with humility. We tend to say, ‘Oh, I could never do that,’ and we think we’re being humble. But that is not humility. That is fear; that is a lack of faith. A truly humble person would say, ‘With God’s help, I can do it. With God’s blessing, I will do it. I may not be able to do it on my own, but with God’s help I will do it.’ That’s real humility.”

OK, that is the first one.  Rick then says, “Second, we tend to confuse laziness with contentment. It’s true that Paul said, ‘I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances’ (Phil. 4:11). But this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t set any goals. Paul was not saying, ‘I’ve learned to not set any goals, and I don’t have any ambitions or any future desires.’ He was saying that even though his goals may not have been reached yet, he had learned to enjoy every day to the fullest. He was saying, ‘I’m happy today even though I have dreams and ambitions that haven’t been fulfilled yet.’

“If contentment were a valid excuse for laziness, who would ever feed the poor or do something about world hunger and equality and justice? How would anyone ever get an education? A third-grade kid would say, ‘I’ve learned to be content with the third grade,’ and he wouldn’t go any farther. We must not confuse laziness with contentment.”

Good point.  He goes on, “Third, we confuse small thinking with spirituality. People have said to me, ‘I serve God in my little way.’ My reply is, ‘Well, why don’t you start serving him in a bigger way? Let God use you more!

“Other people say, ‘Well, I’m just the way I am. That’s the way God made me.’ But it is wrong to blame God for our lack of growth because he has provided all the tools and ideas that we need in order to grow. Don’t confuse small thinking with spirituality.”

God built you with a purpose in mind and he does not make junk.  He gave you the desire to make a difference and he wants to work in and through you to make a difference, today, this month and this new year.  Would you allow him to use you in the way he created you?  Would you?

Yes, yes!