The American Dream

   The American Dream is something that many, many people today are striving to achieve. The idea of the American Dreams is based in the Declaration of Independence, which states that all people should have the opportunity to pursue: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In 1931 James Truslow Adams stated the American Dream is, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement." I will say this: I really like Adams' definition. I think that there is nothing wrong with us trying for and desiring to have a full, rich life. But, the important part is to understand where our fulfillment and happiness comes from. I think we often make the mistake that we believe our happiness and contentment are found in a new car, a promotion at work, the next award, being popular, being famous, being rich, or even being in a relationship.

  At the end of Matthew 6, Jesus offers some very comforting words to those who feel worried, downtrodden, fearful, or those who need a little extra dose of encouragement. Jesus tells his followers that if God cares about the birds of the sky and the lillies of the field and if God provides for them how much more will God provide for us? We are the prize of all creation! Let me be perfectly honest, the American Dream is great, but please be very careful. It is so easy to get caught up in making much of yourself, your abilities, your gifts, and what you bring to the table that it is so easy to forget to honor the person who gave you all of those abilities.

  I think looking at Jesus' example is very pertinent in regards to our perspective on the American Dream. The danger in pursuing the dream is that way too often get consumed with making much of themselves. We want people to notice us. We desire to be recognized and praised, and the list can go on and on. That's how almost all of us are wired we thrive on being noticed, being praised, and being made much of. However, the example Jesus gives us is one that is much, much different. In Mark 8 Jesus tells his disciples that whoever desires to find his life will lose, and it is only those who desire to lose their lives will find their life. Near the end of his earthly ministry Jesus was about to endure the Cross, the shame, the torture, and the humiliation for us, and in John 13 the night he was betrayed he doesn't spend the hours leading up to his arrest fishing for compliments, asking his disciples to serve him, rather he bends town with a towel and a basin and washes their feet. Jesus serves them, and he makes much of them rather than himself. 

  The American Dream can be good, but it is dangerous. Because so many people including good Christian men and women can easily fall prey to the danger of the dream: making much of themselves. Let us strive to be the best we can be, but let our ultimate goal our ultimate reality be to make much of Jesus Christ and the people all around us. I think at the end of it all, we'll be much happier and content when realize our worth is not in our possessions or accolades and our goal is to make little of ourselves and much of Jesus.