The American Dream isn’t my Dream

I want to start off by apologizing: this isn't a happy, feel-good blog. I've finally gained the courage to write what I've been feeling.

It starts in 1931, James Truslow Adams with the statement that has impacted America to this day. It is referred to as the "American Dream," saying, "life should be richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability and achievement." 

The longer I've been here, the less appealing America sounds to me. Since when does working hard guarantee a life full of prosperity? In the past couple of months, I have met some of the hardest working people in my life. People who never quit working; people who work ten-hour shifts everyday, yet they still are struggling to provide and make ends meet for their families. Why have they not given up yet; why are they still pressing forward? The difficult part is that these people are following Christ with all they've got, and still struggling. I believe that one reason this is not so is because the word "entitlement" doesn't exist here. Entitlement in the U.S. is a constant struggle for every American citizen. It's a notion or belief that one is deserving of some particular reward or benefit. People here do what's right because it's what the Lord has called all of us to do. They don't expect to receive an award, because they know that their reward lies in wait in heaven. In all honesty, I think if I were to bring just a few people from Guatemala to America, just for a few days, they would be disgusted at the way we live.

They wouldn't be able to understand. They would be confused that we have all the conveniences in the world, yet we still want MORE! We have everything at our finger-tips, and yet, we keep it all to ourselves. How is it possible that 25,000 children died TODAY because of starvation and preventable diseases, when we have fast food restaurants on every corner? How is it possible, with all our resources and technology that 1.5 billion people have never heard the name of Jesus? What are we doing with our money? We're buying brand name purses and jewlery, entertainment, food and new cars– all for ourselves. And this is not to say that I am not at fault, because I'm just as guilty. But something isn't right with this picture. 

These people have taught me so much, more than I can put into words. One of the biggest things they have taught me is concerning joy. Joy is different than happiness. Happiness is only temporary, but joy comes from the Lord. I've learned to be joyful in all situations. Despite the conditions my team and I face on a daily basis, like worshipping for two hours straight when your feet begin to hurt, not being able to understand a sermon for ten weeks straight, or never knowing what we're doing, when we're doing it, or what we're waiting on.

The people in Guatemala have also taught me what generosity looks like. I am constantly amazed by these people. They literally have nothing, but we are constantly being fed homemade food and being bought cold drinks. One day when we were doing construction, we were all given fresh, cold Pepsi's twice in three hours. It spoke volumes to us because most of them don't even have two dimes to rub together. But I see Jesus in these people. They don't know us at all, but they still continue to provide for us and put our "needs" before their own. 

Lastly, I've learned that I don't have be wealthy to consider myself blessed or secure. I'm struggling with the fact that I'm called to preach the word to the 1.5 billion people who don't know who Christ is. It's a scary thought to leave all you have, your hopes and dreams, all to enhance the kingdom of God. Why am I afraid that God won't provide for me overseas? I seem to think that the only place I'll be secure is in America, in my comfort zone. But that is false! I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be here in Guatemala, because I've seen first hand that you can have nothing, but still be so blessed and full of the Holy Spirit. 

So needless to say, I'm sick of the "American Dream", the belief that you need to have everything to consider yourself "blessed" or "secure". I'm ready for American Christians to live for something so much better, because there is so much at stake.