Reclaiming Your Ambition
Escaping the lure of leading for others.
“So we make it our ambition to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” —2 Corinthians 5:9 (NIV)
Let’s be honest: some days as an executive director, it feels like you’re just trying to keep the wheels from falling off.
Budgets. Board meetings. Staffing challenges. Emails that multiply every minute. You try to get to the important stuff, but the urgent crowds in. You signed up to serve people and build something meaningful, but it feels like you’re just spinning plates.
If that’s you, I want to offer a different lens for your ambition—one that has nothing to do with performance metrics or packed calendars.
It’s about pleasing Jesus.
We’re All Ambitious—But for What?
In 2 Corinthians 5:9, Paul says something that stops me in my tracks:
“We make it our ambition…” (Or, more literally from the Greek: “We are ambitiously striving….”)
The Greek word here—philotimeomai—was often used in ancient Rome to describe people who sought fame, honor, or civic recognition. But Paul flips it.
His ambition isn’t about building his brand or proving his worth. His burning desire—his holy ambition—is to please Christ.
Not just in eternity. Not just in ministry. But in every part of life, whether “at home in the body” (alive) or “away from it” (with the Lord).
What If Our Real Job Description Is This?
Let’s try this on for size:
Your job isn’t just to manage your nonprofit.
It’s not even to execute your programs perfectly.
Your job is to please the Lord in the way you lead.
That means how you lead matters just as much as what you accomplish.
When you’re sitting in another long meeting…
When you’re handling a difficult staff issue…
When the donor you were counting on pulls back…
The question becomes: Am I pleasing Jesus in how I show up today?
Three Ways to Lead with Gospel Ambition
If you’re itching to reset your focus and align your leadership with what truly matters, here are three shifts to help you reclaim your holy ambition:
1. Focus on the Person You Serve
Yes, your nonprofit serves people—but ultimately, you serve Jesus.
Colossians 3:23 reminds us: “Whatever you do… work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
When the outcomes aren’t what you hoped, remember: He sees you. And He honors faithfulness, not flashiness.
2. Focus on the Way You Serve
It’s easy to justify sharp words or burnout as “just part of leadership.” But God cares deeply about the fruit of your spirit as you lead.
Paul urges the church to be ambitious about quiet faithfulness (1 Thess. 4:11), not just public success. How you handle stress, setbacks, and staff matters is a reflection of your worship.
Let your leadership style mirror Christ’s kindness, integrity, and humility.
3. Focus on Who You Serve With
The people around you—staff, volunteers, board members—aren’t just assets. They’re image-bearers. They are part of your calling, not obstacles to it.
Leadership is more than productivity. It’s discipleship in disguise. Love them well. Pray for them. Invest in their growth.
Final Thought: Godly Ambition —It’s a Superpower
You don’t need less ambition—you need the right kind.
Let this be your prayer today:
“Lord, whether I’m at my desk, in a meeting, or anxious over a grant, may it all be done in a way that pleases You.”
That’s a legacy worth leaving.
Need help building a team or strategy that reflects God-first leadership?
Let’s connect. I help executive directors build gospel-centered systems that restore focus, energize fundraising, and grow your reach—with the peace of knowing it’s all done to honor and please the Lord.