Wake Up from the American Dream

Awe….Living the American Dream!

Our great American culture teaches us to think that if we just had more our problems would go away. This is how our minds are formed in the early years of childhood. The more toys we have the happier we will be. Christmas is the best day of the year because we get gifts, more things. Oh yes, and because of Jesus.

High School is a competition to get the coolest clothes, cell phone, and car. We’ve got to get into the best college, so we have the best job to keep up the lifestyle we are being trained to live.

Now you have the great job, are married and purchasing your first house. It is probably going to be much nicer than your parents’ first house. A starter house? What is that? New cars. Then nicer cars. Boats. Then, bigger boats. Vacations. Then, more extravagant vacations.

We spend many weeks interviewing the best daycares for our kids because they must have the “best” education, starting at age 2 months. Our children have to be placed in daycare, because we must have two incomes to keep up with the lifestyle, the American Dream. It is ok for both spouses to work. But what is driving that decision?

I could go on and on. But you get the picture.

So, here’s what God’s Word says about the American Dream…..Nothing!

Scripture does not come close to explaining how believers should live out a lifestyle that looks anything like the American Dream. Actually, God warns us strongly against striving for such a lifestyle.

It is so easy to fall in love with wealth, career, and ambition for things of this world. In Mark 10:17-25 Jesus tells the rich young man to “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” He was so wrapped up in his wealth that it had to be removed.

Our money and possessions very easily entangle us and keeps us in bondage. Many of us are so wrapped up in our culture and wealth that we miss Christ and the joy that He has in store for us.

It is a lifestyle that we’ve “dreamed” up and takes our focus, time, energy away from Jesus Christ. Christ offers us the greatest gift ever. But we miss it! We totally miss it! The average American “Christian” totally misses it.

If we are seeking to obtain the American Dream, then how does one know when they have accomplished it? You never reach it. If you think you have, then what? There is always more to gain. It is a continual search but never obtaining satisfaction and fulfillment. C.S. Lewis summarized this best in his book The Weight of Glory.

“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

We were not made to live The American Dream. We were created for so much more.

We are each created uniquely in His image. And created for one purpose, to Magnify Christ! Seek His will for your life.