Revenge, lust, ambition, pride, and self-will are too often exalted as the gods of man's idolatry; while holiness, peace, contentment, and humility are viewed as unworthy of a serious thought. —Charles Spurgeon

How good a thing is ambition? We teach our children to “reach for the stars” and “follow your dreams” but do we do them any good in this? Yes, we want our children to be competitive—at least competent—because the big world can be harsh and demanding. Without dreams and ambition, we fear they might just graduate their pricey university education to re-settle themselves in the guest room, devoting themselves and their energies only to attaining higher levels in Fortnite. 

We like to see youth ambitious—positively bursting with narcissistic self-confidence—ready to take on the world and become the millionaires, movie stars, and Pulitzer prize winners we know them to be. The question is do we do them a disservice by encouraging such ambition? 

In youth, we secretly believe in our own special value. We are told we are unique and loved by God, so we conclude that we must be here to participate in some grand but as-yet-unrealized plan—something that might fulfill us in this world and vindicate our place in the world. We dream of some manner of greatness so that we might feel this world yet offers promises of significance that can eclipse our past disappointments. 

Without at least a few dreams of value and significance we might only feel sadness and despair. We need our dreams, if only as an imaginary projection of our potential success and fulfillment. But is this not a disservice?  We know that the overwhelming majority of big dreams end in big nothings. One in a million know big dream success and they are usually the ones promoting the dream narrative.

We live this life never sure of our ultimate purpose. We can pray and beg God to prosper us, but God's prosperity is seen only through the eyes of faith. Jesus was crucified despite all of his perfection of character and perfect behavior. Who do we think we are that God should shower us with earthly comforts and riches for our contrite prayers? God's success is manifest in sacrificial love, not worldly fame.  God isn't interested in your swelling career, your happy family (to which he brings a sword, remember? [Matthew 10:36]), or your vain longing to find your place in this world. Love this world too well and you will find yourself an enemy of God (James 4:4). 

Do you think God wishes us to be proud or vain? Do you think God cares whether we own a nice house or sit pretty among our peers? The prosperity gospel of popular TV preachers is pure heresy. God does care for every soul, but the price of following him in spirit and truth is nothing less than ruthless sacrifice—the utter, wholesale abandonment of everything in this life that claims glory for itself. Each vain dream of personal fulfillment is likely to be met by a hard reality indifferent to those dreams (the other guy gets the girl, someone else finishes #1, your enemies prosper, your safeties dissolve, etc.). We should thank God we do not succeed as we dream, or we would become utterly wed to this world and its vanities. We are not in it to win it in worldly way. Those called to follow Jesus and serve the Lord should not expect worldly dreams to be granted.

You will not get what you want if you serve the glory of God above all else; you will get what God wants, and your happiness is utterly, irretrievably dependent upon your desiring God's good for you. If you learn to desired God’s good for you above the goods of this world, your happiness is guaranteed.

Dreams and ambitions are all expendable when compared to God’s call to faith. That calling is the only dream—the only ambition—anyone needs. Let us teach our children to glorify God and him alone, and may each child discover God’s will as she grows into Christ and makes him known. †