“Touch not the glory.” I first heard this on an audio book as I drove back from North Battleford the other week. Touch not the glory… what does that mean?

This quote comes from the book Replenish by Lance Witt, in a chapter entitled “Ambition Ambush.” Witt spoke about the perils of personal ambition over a God-centered focus. Rather than working for God’s glory, we begin to live out of a want to see our own ambitions achieved. We want the glory, instead of giving it to God.

In Phillipians 2:3-4, we read, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (ESV).

Did you know that humility is the absence of self, placing the focus on God and others? (Andrew Murray). Yet so often, we struggle with just the opposite: Getting ahead, keeping the glory for ourselves, and trying to pat ourselves on the back for what God has done. Don’t struggle with that? Here’s a crazy thought from Mr. Witt: “Ambition lives in the attic of my soul.” In other words, it’s living in that place we often aren’t aware of, but it is alive and well!

September is both a busy time and a new beginning time. For some of us, it’s when we run the combines and drive the semis. For others, it’s when we’re back to work, back to school, and back to moving forward after time of rest (hopefully). New grades, seasons, or new opportunities now may be here! Now is a great time for us to remember: Touch not the glory.

It is important that we don’t take glory that belongs to God. Maybe you’re thinking, “why is this what he’s writing about?” Because God is doing great and amazing things in our communities. He’s working through you, and He wants to work through each of us. Yet with advancement or forward motion comes the temptation to take what is not ours. Taking God’s glory is stealing; it places us in a dangerous spot of trying to take God’s place. September is a great time of new beginnings, work and exciting things! Yet it is in these times that we must seek to remain fixed on Jesus and not allow our selfish ambition to draw us away from serving Him.

So, as you work; in the yard, the field, or the office, remember to take a moment and glorify and thank our God, who gives good gifts (James 1:17). Keep Jesus front and center. There is blessing in this: God will use you in great ways for Him!