Consider the natural human response to the pursuit and overtaking of excellence. Even Ben Franklin recognized the danger when he wrote: "In reality there is perhaps no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as Pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself. For even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility." In America we are obsessed with bigger, better, faster, farther, more, more, more! As we stoke our ambitions, strive to reach our full potential and grow, the big question is: How will we handle success? There is a proper sense of pride that should ride along with accomplishments that come from sacrifice and hard work: pleasure, satisfaction and suitable self-respect. The opposite, dark side is all too familiar in people who become arrogant, haughty, lordly, insolent, conceited, overbearing, disdainful, pompous, contemptuous, patronizing and scornful. These are not talents God is looking for in His servants. Fortunately, God left us with positive examples to temper our quest. One is found in the story of a man who was called the greatest. His Name Was John Before his birth, John's parents, Zacharias and Elizabeth, had accepted their fate to be childless. Zacharias was a priest and, according to the ancient practices, rotated from his home to serve in the temple. While alone in the temple performing his priestly duties, Zacharias was visited by the mighty archangel Gabriel. Zacharias was afraid with good reason. Not many humans receive legitimate heavenly visits. Gabriel calmed Zacharias' fears, eloquently prophesied the miraculous birth of John and foretold of John's special, divine mission. Gabriel also gave instructions that John was to be separated from birth, likely as a Nazirite (Luke 1:15; Numbers 6:1-21). John's destined greatness in the sight of God was to begin when he was sanctified, filled with the Holy Spirit even from Elizabeth's womb. Zacharias remained unconvinced, so Gabriel struck him mute. Apparently this helped Zacharias' unbelief, so he went home after completing his duties at the temple and soon after his aging wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant. For Zacharias and Elizabeth, as with Abraham and Sarah, this was a miracle. In due time, Elizabeth gave birth to a baby boy. At the ceremonial eighth-day circumcision, Zacharias followed Gabriel's command and confirmed his son's name. Immediately his tongue was loosened so he could speak, praising God. People, as people do, wondered what these strange happenings meant and what was in store for this infant whose entry into the world was so peculiar. No doubt remained in Zacharias. He clearly understood his son's mission in life to be a prophet of the Most High sent in advance to prepare the way for the Messiah (Luke 1:76). John was surely taught this diligently by both parents from the time he could understand. Not much is mentioned about John's upbringing. Perhaps John's elderly parents died when he was young and, being different, he wanted to separate himself further. However it happened, John was led to avoid civilization and ignore his birthright duty to begin serving in the temple. Instead he lived in the desert. It is here we must focus on a vital point about John's life. Even though he knew he had been called specifically by God for some special purpose, John waited in the wilderness until clearly told what to do. It was not because John was afraid to act. We shall see that his courage got him killed. John simply refused to take upon himself something that was not ordained to be, or to move before God's time was right. Yet John continued in a state of perpetual preparation. He grew in the desert and became strong in the spirit (Luke 1:80). John's patience and diligence were rewarded. God's infinite wisdom, taking into account the cascading waterfall of events that would flow from a single drop in time, knew the perfect minute to call John to action. Somebody brought the word of God to John. Perhaps Gabriel returned and gave him instructions from the Almighty God. It is also notable that John did not come up with his own doctrine. A messenger from God taught John to baptize with water for the remission of sins (John 1:33). The lesson for today is that humans should be very careful about claiming a divine assignment or revelation. History shows that even those with legitimate calls approached with caution and in most cases had to be convinced to take the job. When called to act, John's ministry became very successful. His practical preaching resonated with the common people as he powerfully admonished young and old, rich and poor, weak and powerful without favor or fear. John built a large following and his message continued to reverberate for years after his untimely death (Acts 18:24-28). Yet John embraced his role and position knowing from the beginning that "he was not the one" and that he was destined to decline (John 3:30). Lacking what we today would dub the essential "competitive spirit," John rejoiced in the ascendance of his "Cousin." John didn't let his rigorous self-discipline deteriorate into self-righteousness, nor did he become proud of his humility. Like his countrymen, John looked for the Messiah who would baptize with the Holy Spirit (John 1:33). John's faith was rewarded when he fulfilled all righteousness by baptizing the Son of God. As Jesus stood up and the river water streamed down His back, John saw the Holy Spirit fly down upon the Christ like a dove. Then he announced, "Behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world" (John 1:29). Yet John was human. From prison he sent emissaries to enquire of Jesus if He was, indeed, the Savior. It would be understandable if John felt that things were not turning out as he once imagined, for a weak ruler had tossed John into prison for offending his second wife with the truth. The villain, Herod Antipas, was the son of an evil king, Herod the Great, who divided his kingdom into four parts. Herod Antipas was placed over Galilee while one of his half-brothers, Philip, inherited the northeast part of his father's kingdom. Somehow, Antipas got embroiled in a sinful affair with Philip's wife, Herodias, divorced his first wife, and remarried this new woman. John, true to his consistent, outspoken, relentless pursuit of truth, openly chastised Herod and his bride for their unlawful marriage. We may borrow from a phrase and say, "Hell hath no fury like a woman rebuked in public." Herodias' malevolent heart was not appeased when Antipas threw John in the dungeon, and she patiently waited for an opening to wreak her vengeance. Herod must have secretly known John was right, but he feared his wife. By and by a birthday party and the folly of a drunken king gave her the opportunity she coveted. At once dull with alcohol and stimulated by the exotic dance of Herodias' daughter, Herod foolishly promised to give anything in return for her sensual entertainment. The alluring dancer ran to seek her mother's advice. "Tell him you want the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter," replied the mother. This request jolted Herod out of his drunken revelry, but saving face in front of notables, for him, outweighed righteous judgment. John was beheaded by a royal executioner. The gruesome trophy was presented on silver while John's headless body sprawled in the cell where ended his divine ministry. News of John's death deeply moved Jesus who offered high praise in eulogy: "He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light" (John 5:35). "For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he" (Luke 7:28). That is the ultimate greatness we seek. How Will We Handle Success? The ambitious pursuit of excellence is double-edged. On one side we should prepare to lead by continuously developing character and reaching for precious potential in this life and the life to come. The other edge is just as sharp: Handle success with extreme caution. Like many chosen heroes of the Bible, John the Baptist's fate was a violent, bloody, untimely death. This is not the American dream. Too often the human response to success sprouts even in the Body of Christ: bigger, faster, farther, more, more, more! How can we find the balance to sharpen both edges of the blade? Perhaps there are frontlets we should bind before our eyes to temper our relentless pursuit. Perhaps we should always ask ourselves hard questions and not shy away from truthful answers about our own ambitions. Victor Hugo wrote in Les Miserables, "Who knows how easily ambition disguises itself under the name of a calling, possibly in good faith, and deceiving itself, saint that it is!" We must not deceive ourselves. • Can you and I prepare with all our might, seek excellence and simultaneously be still and serene knowing we might not get to apply everything we've learned right now? • Can you and I develop a patient perspective that lets God's peace overcome any frustration? There is a great sense of calm that accompanies diligent effort tempered by the humility to wait on Christ. • Can we resist the temptation to set ourselves up as teachers—even if we are qualified and see an opportunity to seize (James 3:1; Hebrews 5:4)? • Can you and I, for the sake of unity, take a back seat even when we think we are qualified to drive the bus? Much honor is reserved for those few—and regrettably it is difficult to name but few—who assist in elegant transitions to their own hurt. • If we think we have discovered new knowledge, do we have the temperance, the forbearance, the restraint to wait on God? • When—not if, but when—someone makes a mistake, do we have the self-control, fortitude and courage to purposely allow ourselves to be defrauded and thereby imitate Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:7)? Napoleon Bonaparte said that great ambition is the passion of great character. Machiavelli rightly observed that ambition is so powerful a passion in the human breast, that however high we reach, we are never satisfied. Healthy ambition can spur us toward right goals. Conversely, unsatisfied, purely human ambition will dull our blade and blunt our spiritual growth. We should take inventory of our pride and humility. If the ledger shows we are focused on ourselves and what we want—beware, pride and unhealthy ambition are at the door. If our heart, like John's, is humble, we will say, "Not my will, but Your will, Father, be done!" So seek God's help to prepare dili­gently. Build godly, righteous character. Seek to fulfill your unique, precious, God-given potential. But remember, victory can beget human problems, so handle success with extreme caution! UN