image from The Economist
Two pieces of literature, the novel The Great Gatsby and the play Death of a Salesman, examine the American dream, from opposite directions. Gatsby achieved it, and died. Willie Loman never achieved it, and died. Investopedia describes the dream as “anyone, regardless of where they were born or their socio-economic status, can attain their own version of success.”
But merely a fine line divides the Dream from ambition and greed. That was me.
Years earlier
driven by
youthful ambition
self-confidence
testosterone
a yearning for maximum impact
(and a touch of ego perhaps?)
I needed to reach the peaks
not a leisurely hike on Wheeler Mtn.
but an ascent of Whitney
if Navy Air led not to admiral rank
then civilian I would stay
and why remain an associate
when I could lead the church
Years later
mellowed by
achieving what I needed to
a better knowledge of what I don’t do well
age’s diminution of that marvelous hormone
acceptance that I cannot do all
I need no longer to reach the peaks
Even so
I am surprised at the joy and peace of following
the ease that comes from being above doing
the grace that flows between a few close friends
and the sense of contentment beyond anything known before
We all have genuine needs and desires, for they differ, even though they intersect. I’m addicted to food—a need, and desire a bison ribeye steak for dinner. Meeting needs bleeds into desire, yet contentment comes with godliness, “I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little” (Philippians 4:11-12 NLT).
That passage holds a multitude of significance. Contentment must be learned, it doesn’t reside in our DNA. Contentment should come in all the situations we face. We can have plenty or nothing and not disappoint God. So where does ambition fit in?
Improvement within contentment is godly. Paul expressed that, “Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ” (1 Corinthians 7:20-22).
His point? Being in Christ transcends any situation. Changing our situation is fine within the context of contentment. Knowing Jesus works in all conditions. Paul wrote Philippians, the ode to joy, while chained in prison. But when our desire to improve lessens our commitment to Jesus, then we err. When our methods mistreat others for us to get ahead, we err.
Kick Starting the Application
How contented are you with your life situation? Does the value of knowing God have more value than ambition? How ambitious are you? How does that fit with Jesus being the Lord of your life?
PS This poem and others are available in Outdoor Adventures, Sacred Trails from me or Amazon.