This morning in seminary we recapped the book of Acts specifically focusing on the character of Paul. As we unpacked all the traits Saul of Tarsus "brought to the fight" it occurred to me that Paul was a very ambitious man. Ambition, the drive to create, to become, to extend and overcome was, and continues to be a critical characteristic of the Lord's servants. The ambition I'm talking about isn't the desire for rank or power, it's the impetus for actually getting things done that too often fails us as we struggle through mortality. In an era of almost ceaseless entertainment and diversion, the fight for ambition can be especially brutal. While I am by no means a man of great achievements, many people have asked me in the past few months how I was able to work full-time, go to law school in the evenings, teach seminary and help my wife with the work of raising five little kids. I never had a good answer until I studied the Acts and the life of Paul. Paul did what he did because he started and knew "finishing" was not up to him, it was up to Him. The Lord will cover a multitude of our errors and gaps if we will just start. He's not going to start for us, but he will sustain our efforts if we're His in focus and effort.
