They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” (Mark 10:37) I usually awaken with a joyful ambition to do something great for God. I’m guessing you do, too, or you probably wouldn’t be reading this devotional. So perhaps you’ll also understand this—I’m amazed at how quickly the godly desire to do something great for God can morph into something more like a godless ambition and a desire to improve my reputation. James and John were among Jesus’ closest friends, yet today’s passage seems to reveal a self-centered motivation driving their request. One of the hallmarks of my ministry is the saying, “There is a God we want and a God who is. They’re not always the same God.” I believe this is one incident where James and John sought the God they wanted, blatantly asking Jesus to do whatever they requested. Jesus answered with patient explanation, revealing the nature of the God who is. The turning point for all of us comes when we stop seeking the god or gods we want, and we start seeking the God who is. MIMBS 3 25 Monday—July 24•Discovering the God Who Is Describe a situation in your workplace that made you angry. Did your reaction demonstrate that you are serving the god you want, or the God who is? Explain your answer. Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 11:1–13:22, Romans 8:26–39, Psalm 18:37–50, Proverbs 19:27–29 Tuesday—July 25•Desiring Position and Prestige And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:44, 45) Jesus’ close friends, James and John, asked to be seated at His right and left hands when He took His place in glory. The other 10 disciples were “indignant” when they heard about the request. These men had all confessed Christ as their master. They had repented of their sins. They were growing in their faith. They protected the integrity of the gospel. Yet they ended up in a squabble because of a little misdirected ambition. Jesus recognized that they wanted to lead lives of significance. Most men have this same desire to do something that will outlive them. God has hard-wired us to want to make a difference. But He also wants us to achieve that through His calling rather than our ambition. Ambition drives a person to seek prominence and prestige. Calling ignites a man working in any field to serve others from the overflow of his own relationship with God. Jesus’ response to His disciples demonstrates that a man can make a real contribution in God’s Kingdom, once he gets over wanting to be somebody. MIMBS 3 Consider three recent interactions with people, one from home, one from work, and one from church. In each situation, did your response demonstrate ambition or calling? Explain your answer. Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 14:1–16:14, Romans 9:1–24, Psalm 19:1–14, Proverbs 20:1
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