This Christian YouTuber thinks ambition can be godly. He makes a good case

Christians – particularly British ones – don’t much like talking about ambition. In many circles, it is practically a dirty word. Striving for anything that results in promotion, visibility or financial success is often automatically seen as the antithesis of God’s call to humility. Yet Rusland KD makes a solid case for why working hard – and the rewards that come with it – can be a godly endeavour, if held in the right regard.

With a title like Godly Ambition: Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Time, Talent and Treasure (Waterbrook Press), it would be easy to assume that this book is just another take on the prosperity gospel, promising monetary success or personal fame in return for positive thinking and a slew of get-rich-quick schemes. But that would be to seriously underestimate the solid biblical foundations that underpin this very wise and well thought through offering.

As a popular musician and YouTuber with more than 1 million followers on social media, Ruslan has successfully built a business from scratch, and this book aims to share some of the lessons that he’s learned along the way. A refugee from Azerbaijan, he moved to the US as a child. His early life was a struggle, and so his advice also comes hard-won. This gives his writing credibility, and the stories from his own life add depth and colour to the book.

Over eleven chapters, Ruslan takes readers on a journey of discovery, providing a clear theological framework for the right kind of ambition, structured around the Christian understanding of identity and calling. From there, the second part of the book moves into more practical ground, tackling topics such as dealing with distraction, collaborating with others and handling setbacks. Throughout each section, he shares his own successes and failures with openness and vulnerability. His knowledge of scripture shines through, as he refers back to Bible passages that support each of his arguments.

Ruslan’s YouTube channel often provides cultural commentary on some of the biggest stories and scandals the Church has faced – including celebrity culture and recent issues in the Christian music industry. You would expect therefore that this book would address topics such as accountability well. It does not disappoint. Ruslan comes out strong in defence of church community, placing yourself under the authority of a local leader and having a good team around you.

It is easy to vilify or platform success and ambition. Ruslan KD’s book does neither. Instead, it offers a wise and biblical guide to pursuing your dreams well. It is much needed wisdom in a world where internet notoriety can come overnight and will be especially useful for young content creators and creatives working in the digital space. But beyond that, it will also be a great help to anyone needing direction, encouragement or advice as they look to use the gifts and talents that God has given them to the full.

Godly Ambition: Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Time, Talent and Treasure by Ruslan KD is out now