1 The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he wrote these words in a book at the dictation of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: 2-3 “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: You said, ‘Woe is me! For the Lord has added sorrow to my pain. I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest.’ 4 Thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord: “Behold, what I have built I am breaking down, and what I have planted I am plucking up - that is, the whole land. 5 And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the Lord. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go.” Jeremiah 45 English Standard Version

What God said to Baruch, the man who'd been keeping a record of the prophet Jeremiah's words, is a message we can all take to heart. “Do you seek great things for yourself?”, said the Lord, “Seek them not!” Over 600 years later in a letter to a friend, the apostle John said: “I've written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.” 3 John 1:9) Seeking great things for ourselves, whether fame or fortune, is something God forbids.

Jesus had to teach this lesson to His disciples. Mark's gospel says: “They came to Capernaum, and when He was in the house He asked them, 'What were you discussing on the way?' But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, 'If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.' And He took a child and put him in the midst of them. And taking him in His arms, said to them, 'Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.'” (Mark 9:33-37)

Verses 2-3 describe how Baruch expressed great frustration. He said: “I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest.” Could vs 4 be a clue to what the cause of his sorrows were?

Jeremiah's ministry was essentially about the coming destruction of Jerusalem, and how God’s people would go into captivity. This was because they failed to heed God's call to repentance. Perhaps Baruch saw all his personal plans and hopes going up in smoke. It could also be that, being scribe to a great prophet, Baruch hoped to gain recognition and importance. But when the prophet's message received a hostile reception, Baruch realized there was no future there. Yet Baruch's work had been a vital one and God graciously rewards those who serve Him, even in small ways. He promised to spare Baruch's life when war's disasters filled the land. (vs 5)

It's not sinful to strive to do well in life and people who've worked hard at their careers often end up in prominent positions. But success and personal glory ought not to be the goal for Christians. Our goal should be to bring glory to Christ. Sometimes that may mean giving up our personal ambitions, positions, even our possessions. But when Peter mentioned how he and the other disciples had left everything so they could serve Jesus, Jesus replied: “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon His glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.” (Matthew 19:28-30)

Yes, let us strive to do the best we can in whatever role we have in life - but may our biggest ambition always be to bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.