Human Ambitions

        What’s wrong with human ambitions?  It’s something natural but when placed to excess may lead to many lapses or mistakes.  Well, the word has acquired some negative connotations like seeking favor or honor, greed for success, vainglory, etc.  But put in the right or positive direction, it may serve the purposes of truth and noble service to humanity.  But certainly, knowing innate weakness in man, this calls for having recourse to prayer and God’s grace.  We remember Christ’s explanation to the disciples when they were perplexed by His statement: “It is easier for a camel to enter into the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 19:24).  So Jesus explained the need for God’s assistance or grace here.  Hence the answer of Jesus: “For men this is impossible but for God everything is possible” (Mt. 19:26).

        History has shown the examples of great men, saints and heroes who by God’s grace became entirely new persons, converted from a depraved life.  You too can change, with God’s help while acknowledging in deep humility your need for help from above.  As Jesus once remarked: “Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; but cut off from me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5), just like saying ‘without me you can do nothing’.  There is certainly hope for erring man when he humbly lifts his hands to God in quest for God’s assistance.  Testimony to that is the numberless crowd of saints who surpassed their human vices and weaknesses by God’s Almighty grace that’s always open to the humble of heart who turn to God in humble prayer.