The midland journal., 1946-10-11
Right Ambition

A MBITION, rightly directed, Is a
~ desirable characteristic. By it
men are spurred on to higher
achievements. 1t constitutes an up
lifting influence which benefits not
only the individual but all mankind.
But ambition which is directed
towards selfish ends and for person.
al gain may lead to the depths OF deg
radiation. 1t is apt to result in un-
regulated and unrestrained efforts to
attain preferment and power. Still
vividly fresh in the thought of man.
kind is the example of mad ambition
which precipitated worldwide
war with its suffering, turmoil, and
bewilderment.
Because ambition is an inherent
characteristic of men, it must be
understood if it is to be rightly
directed. Just as "hope springs
eternal in the human breast" so does
the desire to progress. Recognition
of this, combined with the humility
which seeks divine guidance, will
eventually produce world citizens of
such integrity that tyranny and
dictatorship will vanish from our
midst. The power that true ambi-
ton acquires will promote peace and
advance the true brotherhood of
man.
Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer
and Founder of Christian Science,
and the author of its textbook,
Science and Health with Key to the
Scriptures" says in her Message to
The Mother Church for 1902 Up. -,
at does not follow that power must
mature into oppression; indeed, right
is the only real potency; and the
only true ambition is to serve God
and to help the race"
A pertinent illustration of the way
in which the desire to serve God
aids in attaining and maintaining
ones rightful place is to be found
in the experience of Daniel, as
recounted in the Bible in the sixth
chapter of the book of Daniel. Be
cause of his loyalty to God and his
efforts to live a pure and blameless
life, Daniel had reached a position
of great power, being second only to
the king of the country. His success
aroused the envy and jealousy of his
immediate associates, who sought to
destroy him in order to gain his
position. Unscrupulously tricking
the king into signing a decree which
would force Daniel either to cease
worshipping God or to forfeit his
life, they schemed for his downfall
and their elevation. Steadfastly con-
tinuing his allegiance to God, Daniel
was condemned to what seemed
certain death, only to emerge un-
scathed. Moreover, he continued in
his high Office, and his God was pro-
claimed throughout the land.
True ambition means constant
alertness in putting out and keeping
out of our human consciousness
those malicious traits that prompted
Daniels associates to plot his down.
fall. Inevitably such plotting leads
to the ultimate downfall of its per-
petrators. Ones thinking must be
cleared of all selfishness. Then
envy and jealousy, hatred and
revenge, malice and passion, rivalry
and self-seeking, cannot lead one
into the meshes of cruelty and strife.
Holiness is spiritual state of con-
sciousneSs. Resolute watching of
our thoughts to see that they are
pure and true, rejecting God, aids
spiritual growth. Christ Jesus taught
Uuke 10:20, "Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy
strength, and with all thy mind; and
thy neighbour as thyself." THE
Christian Science Monitor. al