5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!

What does this say to me?  For me it requires that I question myself on every decision that I make.  What does "selfish ambition" or "vein conceit" really mean?  I've pulled together some references, but it's very clearly anything with selfish motives (even if they are "good" and can seem God-glorifying).

I think of this song by Mainstay, Take Away, where the artist says, "Ruin my agenda, holy as it never was."  I know that I try to claim that my plans and agendas are holy and of God, but they are only me attempting to fool God and manipulate Him into my agenda.  For some reason, I like to set forth on things that most people will think are good and godly, yet I know that I'm only doing it for their praise and that my God isn't really all that trilled at all.

I also think of those preachers who only want to grow their church just because bigger is better - it's somehow validates their worthiness as a pastor.  Vein conceit comes to play when I think of people that manipulate others in some way.  It's this idea that my idea and way is better and I don't respect your idea as on equal footing as mine.  It's this conceit rooted in vanity (or pride) for whatever reason - age, intelligence, physical abilities, etc - just our abilities.  I consider those (our abilities) vain - only because everything is given by God out of grace.  For we deserve nothing and have nothing except by the grace of God.  We are no better than anybody else because we simply can't weigh the value of traits because all of them are given at His discretion; who are we to judge value?

James speaks of "selfish ambition" as earthly, unspiritual and demonic "wisdom" (James 3:13-16). The Lord himself warned against seeking first place (Matthew 20:26-27), desiring power, prestige and wealth (Luke 14:10). Jesus called his disciples to a life of self-sacrifice that gives priority to God's kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

From The Complete book of Everyday Christianity

As a work of the flesh, selfish ambition is present when we define ourselves by our achievements, rather than by our character. For many men, and increasingly for women, the choice of career represents an "idealized fantasy of who one is or might become . . . the medium through which these dreams are enacted and judged" (Ochberg, p. 3).

Symptoms of this selfish ambition are relentless striving with an inability to rest, discouragement at the lack of recognition obtained for one's hard work, predatory competition (even in Christian leadership), use of the present situation (and people) as a stepping stone and an "endless itchiness for other possibilities" (Schnase, p. 17). The Bible leaves little room for exalting human achievement and constantly points us in the direction of exulting in God's achievements. But our motives are always mixed, and a theology of grace accepts humanness just as it is. At the same time it points to something better. Because ambition is not uniformly evil, it is a risk worth taking.

Somehow, I need to check my motivations consistently and have my friends relentlessly question why I live my life the way I do.  I'll have to agree with Socrates when he says, "The unexamined life is not worth living."  So, I invite you to examine my life each and every day.  For, I give myself too much slack.  Plus life is way more fun examined and alongside great friends.

As I was driving back to the office, I remembered the story of Daniel refusing to eat the defiled food of the king of Babalyon.  Daniel 1:9 says, "Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel."  So, I began thinking.  Are my friends my friends because of how great I am?  I quickly come to the conclusion that it's not because I'm great, but because God is.  God is so great that he causes others to show favor to me for no good reason.  God places me in circumstances with people for a reason unknown other than to live out my faith with these people.

 Basically, God is soverign and in control.  He gave me everything - great parents, intellect, determination, friends, talents, circumstances to excel, salvation from my own terrible decisions, mentors, everything.   How can I ever say that anything great that happens in my life is somehow out of my own hard work?  How can I even think of stealing glory from God?

I was asked this question by a friend of mine. I'm not sure how to best address this, but here goes.

Your question says "you" - meaning that you are asking me and not asking for the general population or even for you. As such, I can make a best attempt to answer that question. If you are looking for something more broad, then I doubt anything I have to say is useful.

Then I can answer very simply that in fact I cannot fully trust God with my life, that I don't truly give up on my own hopes, dreams, plans, and fears. Of course, that answer isn't very interesting. Fully and truly imply perfection which is something that I have not (and don't think I will) been able to do.

But the question you are asking is how do I choose to relinquish control over my destiny. And well, that's very easy. I've tried very hard to control my destiny and messed everything up. I'm a terrible chooser. And then on top of that, I manipulated many to no avail. So much work, effort, and everything for misery. Matt 6:33 comes in with a promise. Seek God first (his will and perfection) and God will take care of everything else. So what does that mean? It means that I don't seek my goals, dreams, hopes, etc anymore, but God. And the thing is that my own dreams and plans really aren't that great. Accomplishing the goals are not fulfilling. God actually has bigger, better, and more fun goals for me. He has a destiny that full of joy and fulfillment. Mine is merely theoretical and filled with expectations that aren't met. God never does not exceed expectations.

Finally, I am very trusting by nature. I'm not sure why. I am one who generally will look for the good intentions of a decision or situation. I will give people the "benefit of the doubt." I am nearly always instantly forgiving and with difficulty do I hold grudges. So, I recognize that by nature some things are much easier for me than others and then some things are much harder for me than for others.

Trust is easy. Pride is such a hindrance. Are not goals, dreams, etc only a manifestation of pride. What good are accomplishments expect for my glory? Can I do my own will and then give credit to God? Of course not, he was not in the action.

And, as I have been in God's will, life has been better than the greatest of my accomplishments. It's just so much better although difficult to learn humility and self-denial (both characteristics/disciplines we are learning about this week and last). But, what joy awaits.

You may have heard me say this before, but "you never know what is on the other side of obedience." This is something that I heard from somebody and I love it. Just obey God and let me take care of the rest. You don't know what that looks like but you can rest in knowing it is what is the best and what will make you the happiest.