American Dream

September 2007 Tidings

Prior to leaving for the Monterrey mission trip, my father warned me to be weary of “Montezuma’s Revenge.” The term alludes to a Mexican Emperor from the 16^th century who was colonized by the stronger Western countries and is presently ‘getting back’ at these conquering nations. “Montezuma’s Revenge” is the unhappy consequences a visitor might endure if they choose to drink the un-sterilized water of Mexico. The “revenge” is a three day trip to the nearest bathroom, where the toilets have no seats and the used toilet paper has to be disposed of in a trash can. On August 4^th a group from New Hope traveled to Mexico for a mission trip. Besides un-sterilized water, we also had to adjust to leaving our homes, families, friends, air conditioning, nice ‘toys,’ favorite foods, showers, clean beds, i-pods, toilet seats and much more.

In leaving these comforts of home, I realized that I am often consumed with pursuing happiness in the “American Dream.” In the pursuit of happiness I have sought out the 2 story house, the white (or cedar) picket fence, the 2 car garage, the 2.5 kids, the lake house and the nice boat. In the pursuit of happiness I have sought to climb the corporate ladder so that I might have power over others. In the pursuit of happiness I have endlessly labored so that I might be loved by everyone. On this Monterrey trip, where we visited people who lived in houses made out of shipping pallets, God revealed to us that the “American Dream” of finding happiness by gaining possessions, power and popularity is actually an “American Lie.”

Jesus tells us to pursue happiness in a way that directly opposes the “American Dream.” As He sends out His 12 disciples, Jesus tells them that “Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”[1] J.I. Packer phrases it this way, “The way to find the happiness that God promises is not to seek it as an end in itself, but to forget oneself in the daily preoccupation of seeking God’s glory and doing His will.”[2]

If the American Dream is true, then it makes no sense that Mexico was one of the happiest times for me and for all who went on the trip. The reason we found happiness is because we were surrendering our life to the will and mission of Jesus Christ in Mexico as we should in America. For a week we stopped seeking our own happiness and we sought out God’s glory and power.

So what about you? Where do you pursue happiness? Has it worked or do you just become discontent again and pursue happiness another way? If you are like me all your pursuits have left you wanting more and so I want to suggest we try pursuing happiness Jesus way instead of the American way. Don’t fill your schedule this week with entertaining yourself and seeking happiness apart from pursuing His mission. Instead, surrendered all of your agendas, possessions and relationships to the King of Glory so that He might receive more glory. As you go to work or engage with others, do so not for your own happiness but in the pursuit of the glory and mission of God.

You want to finally find happiness? You want to finally find your life? Then it’s time to try something radical. Lose your life to Jesus today!

Full Bank Account

August 2007 Tidings

This past May much of my family came to St. Louis to celebrate my graduation from Covenant Seminary. They were very generous with both their presence and their presents. One sibling gave me some TGI Friday’s gift cards because He knows that although Tricia and I love to eat out, we are often too cheap to spend the money. During this weekend of graduation we also celebrated my step mother’s (Karen’s) birthday. Tricia made a beautiful card for her and we wrote a nice letter describing how much we appreciated her. As a present, we included in the envelope one of the $20 gift cards I had received for graduation. (Yes! I re-gifted! Remember, we are cheap).

About a month ago I got a call from my Dad because he was afraid that there had been some mistake. He told me that he and Karen went to TGI Fridays and got a very nice meal, but when they went to pay the bill, the $20 gift card only had $1.50 on it. Needless to say, I was busted and had no choice but to openly confess my re-gifting ways.

I often live like I only have a $1.50 in my spiritual bank account, and I think, “Sure it’s better than being broke, but then again it is only $1.50” To put it another way, I take for granted all the riches I have in Christ and I dilute the wonders of what I have received. At the worst, I am deceived into thinking that there is not much of a difference between now and when I was not a Christian, other than a list of rules and a Sunday morning service.

The good news is that despite how rich or poor we might feel on a given day, all who trust in Christ possess the full riches of being united to Him. What are these riches that belong to us? Paul explains that these riches include our redemption purchased by the price of God’s favorite Son. They include the ongoing forgiveness for our sin- riddled life. They include the ability to see the hope of glory to which we are bound. They include being strengthened by the Holy Spirit in our daily walk. They include intimacy with the living God by Christ dwelling in our hearts. They include the wisdom necessary to understand the mystery of God for our salvation. And they include the ability to be a blessing to others so that they too might enjoy the full riches of Christ.

If you have never experienced these riches, it is because you do not know Christ. Change that today by surrendering to Him and you will instantaneously inherit all the treasures of Christ. Unlike a gift card, our riches can never be exhausted or used up. All who are united to Christ are infinitely wealthy in Him and will forever be justified, pardoned, reconciled, adopted, strengthened, forgiven, and redeemed. So, whether your financial bank account is in the black or in the red, if you trust in Christ you are among the richest people on the face of the earth. Believe it because it is true, and live it because His generosity is unending.