When you hear the term, “The American Dream,” what is your initial thought? I think, “princess.” I know that may sound strange, but think of all the Disney movies you’ve seen in your time. What message do those movies portray? You have this beautiful damsel in distress that longs to be somebody, a princess. There are hardships she must endure (blah, blah, blah), yet the odds always seem to play in her favor. We all know that these hardships eventually will lead to all of her dreams finally coming true. She finds the missing puzzle piece, her prince. And he finds himself a dime piece, his princess. They fall in love at first glance, walk into the sunset, and live happily ever after. The end.
While on the Race, there have been numerous times I’ve heard others say to me, “Wow! You‘re from America? You’re living the American dream!” And it got me thinking. Where did this term come from? What the heck does it mean? And am I really living this so-called, American dream?
I think back to when I was a little girl. I had my whole life mapped out. It was perfect. I guess you could say it was my definition of living the American dream. I was to be married by 23, have kids by 25, live a successful life (aka a stay at home mom…let’s get real ladies we’ve all entertained this thought at some point), and live happily ever after. Do as the princesses do.
HA! JOKES!
As wonderful as this sounded at the time, I’m so grateful the Lord had different plans for me.
I’ve come to realize the Lord will give you the desires of your heart to show you they aren’t really what you desire.
God has completely broken down and rebuilt my definition of what it means to live this so-called American dream. He’s taught me that it’s not about pursuing a counterfeit relationship in order to fill a void. It’s not about finding someone to complete me because I am complete in Him. It’s not about being driven by money and success, or living this unrealistic fairytale. It’s not about my dream, it never has been. It’s about GOD’S DREAM.
No dream is worth pursuing if God is not in it.
To live God’s dream means I don’t want a relationship if God is not at the center. It means I want God more than I want money and success. I’m not saying these things are wrong, however, no amount of money or success is worth abandoning God to make it happen. It means that I choose to embrace the trials and hardships because they lead me closer to the heart of God. They bring forth a new depth of love, strength, and a longing for more of Him that wouldn’t have come otherwise.
I want to be known not for living the perfect American dream, but for always striving to live out God’s dream. Pursuing His dreams for my life does not always come easy, they come with a cost. However, eternity starts now. To simply “make it into heaven,” is not enough for me. I desire to live a life that most matters for God, not for this world.
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
