I think the "American Dream" in it's purest sense is about opportunity, capitalism, and people hoping to make a better life for them and their families. How can you argue with any of that? People working hard, pulling themselves up from their boot straps and making an honest living. The Bible is very clear that we should work so I applaud this aspect of it's ideology.
However, I have to say that goodness tied to the American Dream that we're taught to believe since childhood has blinded us from the lie we come to live for mid-way through high school (or sooner).
For instance, I think a lot of parents work hard so their kids won't experience need, or compromise. Very commendable. But I'm really upset by the amount of mothers working outside the home. If it's out of need, I completely understand and very much admire that person, but if you can afford to stay at home, I believe you should. The importance of the amount time, investment, and relationship a mother can build and with her child cannot be overstated. And yet, countless mothers enter and reenter the work force to give their kids a better life including, but not limited to, an iPod, MacBook, and Droid X. The outcome is a broken relationship between mother and child and a kid raised by strangers while seemingly having headphones glued permanently to their ears.
The tools that once maintained the beauty of capitalism have also disappeared. Being deserving of a job has been replaced by good connections. Being honest and fair is shoved aside for making the best deal. Why? Because at the root of humanity is selfishness and the core of wanting to "get ahead" is insecurity and fear. And yet countless American's line up to enter the rat race. But at what cost? Sacrificing time with family? Having a lower-paying, but less stressful job? Affording less but appreciating more?
What it's for:
Striving. Working. Planning. Figuring. Rushing. Stressing. Draining. The list is unending and the demands are unyielding. But what is it all for? Did the life God planned for us before time really consist of a picket fence and a car that beeps when you lock it? Does His perfect standard really include a cubical with an outside view or having only enough kids so that you don't have to experience the loss that accompanies not owning that big screen?
Here's how I see it:
-Jesus, knowing His purpose from at least the age of 12, still worked the strenuous, lowly occupation of carpenter. No schooling. No desk. (And probably, . . . a lot less pressure).
-Jesus didn't have a house or place to lay His head.
-Jesus didn't have a wife or kids to provide for and focus on (Paul saw the benefits of this).
-Jesus, trusted the Father unshakably. Totally secure. Reckless abandon.
What's the Harm?
Call me a cynic, but I believe it to be a trick. A trap that we've allowed ourselves to believe is the ultimate goal.
Could it be that Satan has used it to deter us from our earthly purpose glorifying God and leading others to His kingdom? I think so. It captures our focus and controls our hands.
The author of Hebrews pleaded with us to avoid such distractions:
12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
I'm starting to realize how badly I've screwed this up when it comes to college. I'm so focused on getting my 4.0 so I won't have to worry about being rejected from the next scholastic path I want to take. If my plan works out, it would include 60k a year. But after flipping to Deuteronomy 8:10-18, I'm beginning to see how wrong I really was. (You can read the whole story in my "It's Not All About the GPA" blog).
So for me, the American Dream is a trap for women longing to feel secure and men vying for affirmation. In chasing it we harshly ask Jesus to step down from His rightful place as the King of our lives and replace Him with an idol. I believe we could liken it to what happened between Jesus and Satan in Matthew 4: Satan promised Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth, He rebuked. We, in drastic contrast, buy in. After signing our name to the contract, we crawl, scheme, lie, cheat, push and pull in a desperate attempt to obtain what we think we've already been promised by the Prince of Darkness.
I don't know about you, but I'm with Jesus and Toby Mac: I don't want to gain the world and loose my soul. That means I work at school as I would work for my King as He sits on the throne of my life. If I'm going any farther past that, I've asked Him to step down and I'm making a deal with the Father of Lies.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God. (Micah 6:8)
From where I stand now (hoping that I'm seeing with eyes that pierce through hills) the "Heavenly Reality" Jesus has given me to live out on earth is to love, enjoy and glorify Him while coming to know Him better, loving Nathan, and Isaiah 58ing.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ (Proverbs 30:9)
*SM*I'll take a shack on the rock over a castle in the sand*SM*
In choosing a Heavenly Reality over the American Dream, I'm leaving behind what moth and rust destroy, and gaining those words I long to hear: "Well done good an faithful one."
Morgan }|{ "Look at Jesus only."
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