I have spent most of my life chasing goals, setting them, striving for them, and doing everything in my power to achieve them. Ambition has always lived in me. It pushed me to work harder, dream bigger, and keep moving even when the road was long and steep. And by God’s grace, much of what I pursued, I achieved. But the older I get, the more I realize that ambition alone is not enough.

There is a difference between striving and surrendering, between self-direction and divine alignment. Jeremiah 10:23 says, “Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” That scripture humbles me every time I read it because it reminds me that even with all my effort, intelligence, and determination, I am not truly in control. God is. And thank goodness for that.

When I look back on my journey, I see moments of victory that were clearly guided by His hand, opportunities that opened in ways I could have never orchestrated myself. But I also see the other moments, the ones that did not go according to plan, the disappointments that left me questioning my worth, the failures that bruised my ego, and the betrayals that broke my heart. I have experienced embarrassment, setbacks, and seasons that felt like detours from the life I was trying to build. With hindsight, I now know those detours were often redirections, God gently steering me back onto the path He had designed all along.

It is human nature to want to control outcomes. We make plans, set timelines, and map out where we think we should be. But if we are not careful, our ambition can become louder than God’s voice. And when that happens, we risk chasing success without substance, accomplishments that look good on paper but leave our spirits empty. True success is not measured by titles, wealth, or recognition. It is measured by obedience to God’s will and alignment with His purpose.

Over time, I have learned that disappointments do not define us. A failed plan does not mean a failed life. What matters most is how we respond, whether we allow defeat to stop us or propel us forward with greater wisdom. Some of the most transformative seasons of my life did not come from my victories but from my valleys. They taught me perseverance. They taught me humility. And most importantly, they taught me dependence, the kind that forces you to lift your eyes from your plan and fix them back on God’s.

Surrender does not mean we stop dreaming or working hard. It means we hold our plans loosely and trust God’s hands to shape them. It means acknowledging when we have tried to do things in our own strength and having the humility to say, “Father, forgive me. I need Your wisdom here.” It also means remembering to give Him glory in our successes, not just crying out when we fall, but praising Him when we rise.

The truth is, even when we are succeeding, we must be careful not to let pride replace gratitude. Ambition without humility can lead us away from God rather than closer to Him. So even when things are going well, maybe especially then, we need to pause, reflect, and acknowledge that “Every good and perfect gift comes from above” (James 1:17).

Now, as I look back over my life, I feel nothing but gratitude. I have lived a life that has been full, full of joy and pain, success and struggle, leaps forward and unexpected detours. If my story ended today, I would still say I have lived a good life. Not because I achieved everything I set out to do, but because God walked with me through it all, shaping me, stretching me, and realigning my ambition with His greater purpose.

So if you find yourself striving, pushing, and planning your way forward, take a breath and remember that you were never meant to direct your steps alone. Ambition may get you moving, but alignment will get you there. Let God lead. Surrender your plans. Trust His timing. And know that no failure, no disappointment, and no detour can derail the destiny He has written for you.