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The problem with spending your life climbing up the ladder is that you will go right past Jesus, for he's coming down.
John Ortberg
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote suggests that in the pursuit of success and ambition, one may overlook spiritual and moral values represented by Jesus.

John Ortberg's quote highlights the irony of focusing solely on worldly success and ambition, represented by 'climbing up the ladder.' It implies that in this relentless pursuit, individuals may miss the important spiritual guidance or presence of Jesus, who symbolizes a descent toward humility and the importance of prioritizing moral values over material achievements.

Themes

SuccessSpiritualityValuesLifeAmbition

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about prioritizing values over career success.

More from John Ortberg

People with the strongest and healthiest sense of calling are not obsessed with their calling. They are preoccupied with the Caller.
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It may be a very bad thing that I needed God to die for me, but it is a wonderful thing that God thinks I am worth dying for.
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Low self-esteem causes me to believe that I have so little worth that my response does not matter. With repentance, however, I understand that being worth so much to God is why my response is so important. Repentance is remedial work to mend our minds and hearts, which get bent by sin.
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