Ambition

BY W. E. B.

Perhaps no other quality of the human mind is responsible for so much misery and discord as ambition. This word in its primary sense meant "to seek the approval of others." In our day it covers a much broader ground and stands for an all-absorbing desire to gain some goal the individual believes desirable. Once in the firm grasp of ambition the individual does not hesitate to sacrifice everything which stands in his way, including family, friends, honor.

Now what is it that creates determination to win at any cost? Is it not that the ambitious one believes that the prize will bring him happiness and satisfaction? Wealth, fame, place, or power seem to mortal thought to be very desirable and seem to promise happiness and satisfaction; but experience shows that when these are gained they do not bring happiness and contentment, but just the reverse; i.e., responsibility, worriment, fear, and unrest. It is very evident to the thinker that the baubles of ambition are not really desired in and of themselves, but the hope that they will give the possessor what the entire race is looking and longing for,—satisfaction and peace. It is at this point that Christian Science rescues mortals and shows clearly that satisfaction and peace are not to be found in any material condition, and when the individual is convinced of this he stops chasing the phantoms of mortality and begins to turn in the right direction and to cultivate the true ambition which does not seek the approval of others but does seek the approval of God. This attitude convinces the seeker that he is now working in the right direction for peace and happiness, and in his struggle to gain the divine sonship he no longer finds it necessary to sacrifice family, friends, and honor; but on the contrary, his new-born attitude diffuses a helpful atmosphere to all who come in contact with him, and he is convinced that his own growth depends on his ability to help others.

"Love is the fulfilling of the law." How grateful we should feel to our Leader for showing us the only way of gaining all and more than we ever dreamed of possessing. How thankful we should be that there is a sure, direct way to gain happiness, peace, and satisfaction as indicated in Jesus' saying: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

How comparatively easy it makes the problem of life seem when we see that "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding" is not acquired by money, position, place, or environment, that we are free to concentrate thought on acquiring a greater understanding of God, and that we can rest securely in the promise that "All things work together for good to them that love God." A strong point in this connection is that we can begin at once the effort which will finally bring us into the liberty of the sons of God. Science and Health tells us on page 326, "The purpose and motive to live aright can be gained to-day," and this line of action carried on in accord with other instructions given in our text-book will bring us into the realization of peace, and we shall be satisfied. It matters not who we are or what place we are filling; we do not have to consider what this or that one thinks of us. The question is not, "How do I stand with men?" but "How do I stand with God?" and if we are sure that we are striving daily to assimilate and reflect His nature, we may rest assured that everything worth having will come to us and we shall begin to apprehend some of the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.

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