It's Friday and my mind turns to mush. It's payday, and I want to go the bank. It's raining, and I need to get going. It's Charity's party, so I need to get ready. But I do want to write on the "American Dream". Thank you Dustin, Michael and Rebekah for your thoughtful and helpful insights.
My take on it - and if I have more time later, I may elaborate a little bit...
It depends on your perspective and definition, but the definition I hold in my head of the American dream haunts me. I'm terrified of buying into the American Dream. The things I'm about to say are not intrinsically wrong, but the package as a whole and the lie that you need these things.. that they will satisfy you and complete you scares me. It scares me because as a human, I know I must guard myself from falling in to this trap. This idea that I haven't "arrived" unless I have a 2 car garage, 2.5 kids (?), and live in a neighborhood that's "safe and white". Middle-class, comfortable, everything I desire at my fingertips. Does that mean that we all need to move to Africa or throw away any modern conveniences? No.. but we should be scared. Terrified that we might begin to love and rely on these things. Our definitions of success should be different than those who do not know the Pearl of Great Price, Jesus Christ.
For starters, (I feel like I haven't said much yet.. I'll blame it on the Friday hypnotism I come under when the week catches up on me, ha!)
think on these words that have rolled around in my head since I first heard this song by Derek Webb.
i repent, i repent of my pursuit of america's dream
i repent, i repent of living like i deserve anything
of my house, my fence, my kids, my wife
in our suburb where we're safe and white
i am wrong and of these things i repent
Just think on those words. I'll get back with you. I gotta jet.
If the pursuit of the American dream means living like we deserve something, when all we deserve is hell and condemnation than we are living a lie. We are buying it and we may not even know it. We aren't called to comfort. I'm not promoting an Amish way of living, but we aren't called to seek comfort and define success like the world does. I feel like I'm not doing a terrific job of posting my thoughts, so I'll stop right there. Maybe later I'll try again. I may zap this later, but if nothing else, think on those lyrics by D. Webb and check out the comments from my friends who posted. It's worth your consideration.
Jamie (after 3:20.. I am no longer "Miss Moore")
3 comments:
So....I buy my first car with keyless entry and when my key ring breaks and I carry around a single key and can't open my trunk 50 yards before I get to the car in the Walmart parking lot, (No, didn't purchase a loofa) I realize what a fat lazy american attitude I have swiftly adopted and had to say outloud that keyless entry will NEVER satisfy my soul. I know what you mean about the fear of being sucked in. I say I need nothing but approximately 4.5 minutes after picking up a catalogue I am thinking of ways to rearrange my life to enable me to make a purchase of something I MUST have. (stil not a loofa) Scary how much of a dream its not. I even prop sleep up as an idol, and it too will never satisfy my soul. But ah yes Mr Webb says it best. Can't chase after things and still fit in the dress. Can't wait to meet you in June. Love,... the old Jamie
Good thoughts, Jamie. Miss you!
well, i think you would be much more satisfied if you just bought the washcloth/sponge-lather thing.
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