The second sin of apathy strips Christians of the healthy drives God put in them for the purpose of accomplishing His mission.  It is hard to imagine the Apostle Paul shrinking into a corner somewhere to live out his faith in obscurity.  Instead, we find him pressing on and straining to fully grasp Jesus’ calling in his life (Philippians 3:12-13), fighting the good fight and finishing the race (2 Timothy 4:7).

There are those who have a hard time reconciling a competitive spirit with Jesus’ command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44), or Paul’s instructions to live in harmony with others (Romans 12:16).  Yet, there are many things believers should contend with in our world, and it is a grave mistake to think a meek spirit removes us from the battle.  This is why we are told to put on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11).

Indeed, meekness is not weakness, and in fact may be the exact opposite.  While I believe we have the right to fight back when we are threatened, I also know it takes just as much courage to resist a fight.  Jesus allowed Himself to be beaten and crucified, but we can hardly call His actions passive.

I encourage you not to view selfish ambition and apathy as having too little meekness or too much meekness.  Meekness is not a happy balance between two extremes.  It is defined by something else, or more accurately “someone” else.  There is a way that leads to success that brings true and lasting joy.