Which Dream Do You Pursue?
I think that instead of working to bring the Kingdom of God here on earth, Christians in the United States have adopted the "American Dream." It is a dangerous decision and has many side effects. For example, instead of taking action to feed hunger, we pig out at smorgasbords and throw half of it away. Instead of simply preaching the gospel and growing strong believers filled with the Holy Spirit, we get involved in politics and turn many away because of our tactics. Instead of selling all we have and following Jesus, relying on God to supply our daily needs, we invest in stock, go shopping and yet insist we need more stuff. The typical American lifestyle is not truly following the words of Jesus and the example of the Apostles and early Christians.
In fact, I hate the term "American Dream." It is simply a way of renaming the pursuit of worldly values to give Americans something to strive for - something other than God. But when Christians get sucked into this unholy "dream" - as so many of us have - it's saddening. We as believers in Jesus Christ have a dream better than any possibility here on earth! We have the dream of seeing His Kingdom come here on earth, as it is in heaven! And yet, Christians who are living for the "American Dream" may pray the Lord's Prayer every Sunday and never realize they're calling for a Kingdom vastly different from that they're pursuing.
As a senior in high school, it is obvious to me which option the majority of Christians take more seriously. My parents even instantly expect me to go to college, get a degree, get a job in that degree, continue going to church, find a Christian husband, settle down, and have a good, Christ-honoring life.
Wait. Why does that sound so familiar? Oh yeah - my non-Christian friends' parents want them to go to college, get a degree, get a job in that degree, be a good person, find a husband, settle down, and have a good life. The only difference is a few "Christ" words.
That's a problem. There should be so much more difference than that! I'm not saying Christians should never go to college or have careers or settle down. No, I'm saying that shouldn't be the limit of expectations. Why do my parents keep insisting that I should get at least a 2-year degree instead of encouraging my dreams to take part in ministry, be in missions, Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, or taking part in starting a ministry, all of things that I feel more led to do? As Brother Andrew says it, "I'm not knocking education at all; I just don't want people to us it as an excuse to avoid or postpone doing what God wants them to do."
There is more to the plans that God has for our lives and our future than simply being and doing it happily with a nice car, house, family, and lots of stuff. Jesus tells us that He is the giver and full-filler of joy, not the things of this world. In Matthew 19:23 He says, "And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." That's pretty straight forward. Often the Bible talks against worldly wealth and yet we still chase it. Being poor also leads to full dependence in God, which is as it should be since so often we forget that everything we have is His that He has only loaned to us, and none of it will reach heaven with us! I have seen children with practically nothing living in Guatemala who are happier than the richest kids in a mansion in America. Jesus even sends His disciples out with nothing. Mark 6:8 says that He "commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse." Already, the "American Dream" is clashing badly with the instructions of Jesus.
1 John 2:15-17 says, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust therof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." Can there be any clearer instruction than that? How about we add Matthew 6:24: "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
When we chase after the "American Dream" instead of the Kingdom of God, we are blending in with the world. That is not what we are called to do; we are called to be apart from it. Kaj Munk says, "And remember the signs of the Christian Church have been the Lion, the Lamb, the Dove, and the Fish...but never the chameleon."
As for the education aspect, everyone seems to idolize college and degrees. Yes, we are fortunate and blessed to live in a country where we have incredible access to education, but there is no evidence that says that a degree leads to true happiness and peace with God. You don't need a degree to do what it says in Mark 16:15 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." That takes a different kind of education - one reached by searching the scriptures, spending worship and prayer in the presence of God. "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness." (1 Corinthians 3:19)
Lastly, the "American Dream" does not give the peace everyone seems to expect. Christians seem to have forgotten that true, bold Christianity is not safe or comfortable and we should not expect it to be so. In fact, Shane Claiborne says that, "Perhaps the most dangerous place for a Christian to be is in safety and comfort." Why do Christians fear so much? We of all people have the least to fear! Jesus says "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
I urge you, do not fall prey to the lure of the "American Dream!" Make your dream that of the dream of heaven - to bring the Kingdom of God here to earth. The reward will be eternal and beyond your wildest dreams!
In fact, I hate the term "American Dream." It is simply a way of renaming the pursuit of worldly values to give Americans something to strive for - something other than God. But when Christians get sucked into this unholy "dream" - as so many of us have - it's saddening. We as believers in Jesus Christ have a dream better than any possibility here on earth! We have the dream of seeing His Kingdom come here on earth, as it is in heaven! And yet, Christians who are living for the "American Dream" may pray the Lord's Prayer every Sunday and never realize they're calling for a Kingdom vastly different from that they're pursuing.
As a senior in high school, it is obvious to me which option the majority of Christians take more seriously. My parents even instantly expect me to go to college, get a degree, get a job in that degree, continue going to church, find a Christian husband, settle down, and have a good, Christ-honoring life.
Wait. Why does that sound so familiar? Oh yeah - my non-Christian friends' parents want them to go to college, get a degree, get a job in that degree, be a good person, find a husband, settle down, and have a good life. The only difference is a few "Christ" words.
That's a problem. There should be so much more difference than that! I'm not saying Christians should never go to college or have careers or settle down. No, I'm saying that shouldn't be the limit of expectations. Why do my parents keep insisting that I should get at least a 2-year degree instead of encouraging my dreams to take part in ministry, be in missions, Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, or taking part in starting a ministry, all of things that I feel more led to do? As Brother Andrew says it, "I'm not knocking education at all; I just don't want people to us it as an excuse to avoid or postpone doing what God wants them to do."
There is more to the plans that God has for our lives and our future than simply being and doing it happily with a nice car, house, family, and lots of stuff. Jesus tells us that He is the giver and full-filler of joy, not the things of this world. In Matthew 19:23 He says, "And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." That's pretty straight forward. Often the Bible talks against worldly wealth and yet we still chase it. Being poor also leads to full dependence in God, which is as it should be since so often we forget that everything we have is His that He has only loaned to us, and none of it will reach heaven with us! I have seen children with practically nothing living in Guatemala who are happier than the richest kids in a mansion in America. Jesus even sends His disciples out with nothing. Mark 6:8 says that He "commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse." Already, the "American Dream" is clashing badly with the instructions of Jesus.
1 John 2:15-17 says, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust therof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." Can there be any clearer instruction than that? How about we add Matthew 6:24: "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
When we chase after the "American Dream" instead of the Kingdom of God, we are blending in with the world. That is not what we are called to do; we are called to be apart from it. Kaj Munk says, "And remember the signs of the Christian Church have been the Lion, the Lamb, the Dove, and the Fish...but never the chameleon."
As for the education aspect, everyone seems to idolize college and degrees. Yes, we are fortunate and blessed to live in a country where we have incredible access to education, but there is no evidence that says that a degree leads to true happiness and peace with God. You don't need a degree to do what it says in Mark 16:15 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." That takes a different kind of education - one reached by searching the scriptures, spending worship and prayer in the presence of God. "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness." (1 Corinthians 3:19)
Lastly, the "American Dream" does not give the peace everyone seems to expect. Christians seem to have forgotten that true, bold Christianity is not safe or comfortable and we should not expect it to be so. In fact, Shane Claiborne says that, "Perhaps the most dangerous place for a Christian to be is in safety and comfort." Why do Christians fear so much? We of all people have the least to fear! Jesus says "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
I urge you, do not fall prey to the lure of the "American Dream!" Make your dream that of the dream of heaven - to bring the Kingdom of God here to earth. The reward will be eternal and beyond your wildest dreams!
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