Warfarin (also known as Coumadin) is an anti-clotting medication normally used in the prevention of thrombosis and thromboembolism, the formation of blood clots in the blood vessels and their movement elsewhere in the body.
Before being used as a medication for human beings it was, and still is, used as rat poison! How ironic that the same basic ingredient we use to rid ourselves of unwanted rodents is used to save our very lives. But this same irony exists with other, less tangible aspects of life such as our ambitions.
Ambitions alone are not inherently good or bad. But the motivation driving our ambitions makes them good or bad. What is the motivation behind our ambitions in life?
Are we driven to achieve or accomplish for ourself or for God? Are we measuring success by His standards or by ours? How is our ambition affecting our family? Who is getting the accolades, God or us?
In the book of John we see Jesus making statements like these:
- “in myself, I can do nothing”
- “I do not please myself”
- “I do not accept praise from men”
- “I came down from heaven not to do my will”
- “I do nothing on my own”
- “I am not seeking glory for myself”
“Even as the Son of God, he was aware he was not pursuing his own agenda but fulfilling the Father’s plan. How incredibly humble for the infinite and perfect Son of God to say, ‘I’m not seeking my own glory.” ~ Lance Witt
If anyone could have thought that life revolved around them it was Jesus. And yet, He willingly gave Himself to fill a role within the Father’s bigger Kingdom story.
“All of you, serve each other in humility, for ‘God opposes the proud, but favors the humble.’ So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor.” ~ 1 Peter 5:5-6
Like medications, ambition must be handled with care because it has the potential for good or bad.
What’s driving our ambitions?
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© Richard Alvey and iLife Journey, 2012. All rights reserved.
A ragamuffin in awe of God's grace and glory... pursuing real life in Jesus.
iLife Journey 
I know the irony of this well. My father, after he was paralyzed in a fall continued to work. He sold Rat Poison to farmers in 5 lb. sacks. We called it rat bait, but I did not know what it was that killed them until many years later. We had 50 lb bags and eventually 100 lb. barrels in our house!
Wow! Thats amazing Bill. Never thought about anyone having such large amounts of it sitting around but it makes sense.
I love the book of John! I’ve sat down and read through it many times, one of my favorite NT books.
I agree! It’s so full, it seems like I get something new out of it every time.