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The Dream or the Vision?
By daniel | June 29, 2010
In the United States we have a phrase, the “American Dream.” It implies that, if I take advantage of the wonderful opportunities available for me, if I work hard enough, if I go to the best high schools and universities, if I make the right connections and if I keep a positive focus, I will have a good life. In fact, I will have great success.
Let’s compare the “American Dream” with something else that I will call a vision, because a dream might or might not come true. The vision I will speak about is clear and true in the eyes of the One who holds it. It will happen just as it is seen ahead of time. I’m talking about God’s vision for His mission to redeem all the peoples of the earth through His Son, Christ Jesus. He has been working to see His vision fulfilled since the moment Adam and Eve fell and were removed from the Garden of Eden.
It should be obvious to anyone that there can be no question of the higher value of God’s vision for redemption. No one in his or her right mind would argue that the “American Dream” can be compared with God’s vision for the world. Maybe some of us would try to argue for the “godly” value of a good life. Let’s just make some honest comparisons. That’s what Jesus did in Matthew 16. “What can a man give….?” Here are two distinct approaches to life: following the dream or following the vision. We will use four criteria to analyze and evaluate these two: first, quality of life; second, methodology used in the process; third, results that can be expected; and fourth, enduring value produced.
The “American Dream” is a popular way to live. People from around the world want to go to America and have a chance at this dream. If I follow the “American Dream,” what will be the quality of my life? For one thing, it will be a life full of excitement. What’s wrong with excitement? Nothing really. And there is a strong likelihood that I will have a pleasant life. Even the hard work that it will require will be worth it. The very process of achieving the “American Dream” will bring enjoyment. And what’s wrong with some enjoyment? Nothing really.
Let’s look at the quality of my life if I give up my dream to join with God in His vision of fulfilling the mission of redeeming the lost world to Himself. What will I find as my quality of life? The answer is simple: constant sacrifice. Constant Sacrifice is the defining quality of life for anyone who has given up everything for the joy of following the Lamb wherever He goes.
How about methodology? How can we accomplish what we set out to do if we go after the “American Dream”? Most successful people will tell you that it takes careful planning. Success doesn’t just happen while we sleep. “If you snooze, you lose.” We map out our goals. We make the best possible preparation including training, education and skill development. We learn from the best. We know that “success breeds success.” And when we go after our dream, we know that honest effort is the only way to succeed. We learn to give and take; we negotiate in good faith to move towards our goals. And what’s wrong with excellent methodology? Nothing really.
What is God’s methodology? How does He achieve His goals? The answer is simple and it’s in two parts: He sacrifices His only begotten Son, and He sacrifices me.
Well, that’s a sobering comparison. Let’s look at some of the results of both approaches. What do we gain if we achieve the “American Dream”? I think we can look at many successful people and see that they have a happy home. Not all successful people have success in their homes, but many do. And what’s wrong with having a happy home? Nothing really. Another part of the “American Dream” is to have a good retirement. And what’s wrong with having a comfortable retirement? Nothing really. And as we think about results, we should not forget that successful people will have money for good causes. We can even send money for the missionaries. The “American Dream” means that we have money to give for good causes. And what’s wrong with that? Nothing really.
What will be the results when God’s vision becomes reality on earth as it is in heaven, when his mission to redeem the lost from every people, kindred, tribe and nation is completed? There are four. First, the gates of hell will be utterly and irreparably broken and the prisoners free. Second, Jesus will be known for who He really is and worshiped as He truly should be. Third, God will receive glory from all the peoples of the earth. Fourth, I will be exhausted, spent and unknown. How does that compare with the “American Dream”? Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf once said, “Preach the gospel, die and be forgotten.” He was talking to the Moravian missionaries who began the modern missionary movement. He knew what we find out as we give ourselves to become laborers in God’s harvest: it’s not about me.
Last we come to the question of enduring value. By this I mean, what will last after we successful proponents of the “American Dream” are dead and gone? We could find nothing wrong with the quality of life or methodology or results of following the “American Dream.” Nothing really. And that is exactly the answer to the question of enduring value resulting from following our own dream: nothing really. Nothing of enduring value in heaven. Nothing lasting in eternity.
But for God and His vision fulfilled there will be plenty of enduring value. How about all the glory of heaven, and the tremendous joy of being in heaven? That’s good value, folks. And it’s forever. And if I have thrown away my hopes of achieving the “American Dream,” if I have denied myself and taken up my cross and followed Jesus, I will be broken enough then and capable of appreciating how heaven will be enjoyed by those whom I won for Jesus.
Take a look at Jesus’ own words for the final analysis. When Jesus told His disciples that He would go to Jerusalem and die, Peter rebuked Him. Can you imagine yourself rebuking the Eternal God in the person of the Son? But Peter rebuked Jesus. And for the second time, Jesus changed Peter’s name. He called this wonderful water-walker by a hated name. He called Peter “satan.” Jesus went even further in correcting Peter. He called Peter “a stumbling block.” Can you even imagine anyone being a stumbling block to the One who will return with ten thousands of His saints to judge the living and the dead at the last day? It’s beyond imagining. And all Peter did was speak up for the “Jewish Dream.” What will Jesus say to us if we choose to speak up for the “American Dream”? I don’t want to know.
Then in verse 25 Jesus says something wonderful: “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” The American Dream is not worth throwing away our own soul, but Jesus is worth throwing away our lives. He is worth our decision to build up His glory and honor at the expense of all we hoped for. And what do we lose by giving up our own dreams? Nothing really.
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