Submit and Serve Without Ambition

“Submit and Serve Without Ambition!” The Almighty told me very plainly.

by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan

Last week, I received a word from the Lord that pierced my heart and shifted my perspective: “Submit and Serve without AMBITION.” These words came as both a challenge and an invitation to align my heart with His will in a deeper, more authentic way. As I meditated on this message, God led me to these powerful scriptures:

Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
God’s Word is my guide, illuminating the way forward as I seek to live in obedience and humility. His direction is clear when I trust Him to lead.

Galatians 5:13-15: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”
Freedom in Christ isn’t a license to pursue selfish desires. Instead, it’s an opportunity to love and serve others without expecting recognition or reward. True service comes from a heart of humility.

Ephesians 5:21: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Submission isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a mark of reverence for Christ. When I submit to others, I am ultimately submitting to Him, choosing His ways over my own.

James 4:10: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
Humility positions us to be lifted by God in His timing and according to His purpose. It’s not about striving for personal gain but surrendering to His plan.

Hebrews 13:17: “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”
Submitting to leadership with a joyful heart brings harmony and glorifies God. It’s a way to reflect the servant-hearted nature of Christ.

As I reflected on these scriptures, I began to ask myself some hard questions:

• How often do I serve with the hope of being seen or acknowledged?
• Am I truly submitting to others as an act of reverence to Christ, or do I resist when it’s uncomfortable?

God’s call to “submit and serve without ambition” is a call to die to my flesh and to let go of any desire for personal advancement. Ambition, in itself, isn’t inherently bad, but when it drives my service, it taints the purity of what God desires. He wants my service to flow from a heart that’s fully surrendered, not one striving for accolades or recognition.

This word has reshaped the way I approach both ministry and daily life. Whether I’m helping in my local church, managing the details of a family business, or simply interacting with others, I’m learning to ask God to purify my motives.

My prayer is this:

Lord, help me to submit and serve without ambition. Strip away my need to be recognized or elevated. Teach me to walk humbly, to love selflessly, and to serve joyfully. May my life reflect Your heart, and may every act of service glorify You alone. Amen.

If you’ve ever wrestled with ambition or struggled to submit, I encourage you to meditate on these scriptures and ask God to show you areas where you can surrender more fully. Trust me, the freedom and peace that come from serving with pure motives are worth it.

Let me know in the comments how God has spoken to you about serving or submission. I’d love to hear your thoughts! ❤️

P.S. Lord, let me CHASE ONLY YOU!! Lord, let me seek you for every single crumb and scrap of understanding and knowledge of your heart and your mind!

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