James and John came to Jesus with boldness:
“Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.” (Mark 10:35-40)
Their belief in His power was real.
Their ambition was raw.
But their understanding was incomplete.
They wanted the glory without grasping the cost.
Jesus doesn’t rebuke them harshly.
He invites them deeper.
“Are you able to drink the cup that I drink…?”
They said yes, not realizing the road that yes would cost them. And Jesus, in love, acknowledges it—but reminds them that elevation isn’t seized.
It’s entrusted by the Father.
Focus on the path, not the position.
The truth is, we all wrestle with the tension between ambition and true calling. It’s not wrong to want to live fully, to lead boldly, to leave a mark.
But when the pursuit of “being seen” overshadows the pursuit of obedience, we lose our way.
God sees.
God knows.
And His way of lifting a man is better than anything we could engineer ourselves.
The world chases platforms. But Jesus hands out cups.
He calls me not to chase someone else’s seat—but to carry the cup He’s placed in my hands. To trust that the hidden work, the unseen sacrifices, the quiet yeses will all bear fruit in His perfect time.
The cost is real.
But so is the glory.
And it’s the kind only God can give.
No comment yet, add your voice below!