Today we move into part 4 of Morley's Devotions, The World of My Motives. I found it interesting that he selected a quote from Demosthenes to introduce it. Demosthenes was a Greek who lived 384 to 322 BC. In a book focused on The Man in the Mirror, Morley effectively points out that the "wisdom" of men already recognizes a serious flaw that we all share--the ability to deceive ourselves. Isn't that what happened to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden? Oh, there was a serpent, but Eve deceived herself. She bought into the lie and bit into the fruit. Then Adam deceived himself. He bought into the lie and bit into the fruit. Everyone has fallen into the same pattern ever since with only one exception--Jesus Christ was not deceived and He did not deceive Himself. His one ambition on earth was to submit to the perfect will of God.
What are we deceiving ourselves about? How about ambition? What do we want to do? What would constitute "success" for us? Is it landing that job? Closing that deal? Buying that house?
How about having an ambition to surrender? "When I grow up, I want to surrender." Huh?!?!?! That sounds all wrong! Yet that is the greatest ambition that we can have.
Can we learn to trust God so much that we will actually struggle and strive to surrender? Can we believe that the greatest ambition in our lives is to submit ourselves completely to God's will? Our ambitions stand in the way. We are so prone to define success for ourselves that we are blind to the truth of success in surrendering to God. Like Demosthenes said, "Nothing is easier than self- deceit." May we commit ourselves so completely to surrendering to God that no room remains for self-deceit.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving me the ambition to do well. Help me always to remember that "doing well" has to be understood in the context of submitting myself to You day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute. Bringing glory to You is my ambition, Lord. Amen.
Grace and peace--
CARadke