By Laura West
In this time of bombarding politics, news stories, and world events brought to us via
the ease of social media platforms, it seems many have begun to long more eagerly for
the American Dream. Hopes of living on our own land, making our own sourdough
bread, setting our own work hours, and living in partial solitude from the rest of
society in order to maintain our peace of mind is a tempting ideal, to be sure.
Finding An Escape
The birth of social media in our lives brought with it immediate communication. We
are the first generation to have endless data at our fingertips, which means we receive
an overload of information—updates from our friends who constantly share their
day-to-day lives, ideas from the companies and communities we follow and which are
promoted via the endless ads in our feeds, and ideologies from political leaders and
candidates who push their agendas through careful phrases of persuasion. The
American Dream promises an escape from the overwhelming push of information.
Sourdough & Slow Living
The intriguing idea behind the American Dream is the slow-paced life that is
necessitated by making meals from scratch, maintaining the land, but most
importantly, living life at your own pace. Usually, the vision of the American Dream is
accompanied by vast rolling hills of farmland, a large aesthetically pleasing house, nice
cars tailored to their owners, and a work schedule that fits our ideally specific needs.
While there is nothing intrinsically wrong with all of these things, there is a
contradiction between the American Dream and living a life worthy of Christ.
Don’t Get Stuck
As a Christian woman in America, I find it too tempting to allow myself to believe
that the ideal life is one spent in American bliss—owning and working a large portion
of land while simultaneously raising my children, teaching them at home, making all
our food from scratch using what we have grown in the garden, and still having time
to relax and enjoy the generous fruits of my labor. It’s ridiculously easy to blame the
economy as many of us so often do. But we must remember that this world, this land
we own, the sourdough starter on the counter, the bliss of working on our own time,
and safe bubble we have created for ourselves away from the hustle and bustle of the
rest of society, is not our home. Yes, we can strive for all of those things—if they are
founded from the correct motivation. Don’t get stuck in the rut of believing you’ll
only reach happiness if you’ve achieved the American Dream.
Count It All Joy
It is our responsibility as God-honoring women in this world to first worship and
glorify our Savior. As much as it hurts to say, if we make perfecting a baking recipe, or
raising perfectly obedient children, or keeping ourselves out of politics our highest
goal, we’ve messed up. Our first duty is to proclaim Christ. If we’ve failed at that—the
very thing that our nation was founded upon—how can we with a good conscience
chase the things of this world? So, when we find ourselves groaning or complaining
about gas prices or the options we have to choose from for president, let’s instead
redirect our hearts and minds to where we can find true and complete joy—the death
and resurrection of our Savior.
So, Is the American Dream Harmful?
If we’re more focused on anything in this world more than we are on Christ, it’s doing
us harm. But if our first priority is to proclaim His name, we will find joy in whatever
circumstances in which we find ourselves. The idea of the American Dream is not
fundamentally harmful—as long as it’s not our first priority. You can still work on
perfecting your sourdough.
Keep the Dream in Check
It’s alright to take a step back and spend time away from the constant flow of social
media. In fact, that would probably be best for most of us. It is alright—good
even—to be actively involved in politics. How else can Christians have an impact in
that arena? It is okay to seek to live off the land. God did give mankind dominion
over the earth (see Genesis 1:26-31). But check the motive behind your desire. Don’t
get caught up in the American Dream when we should be facing the reality of living
life for the Almighty God.
Romans 12:2
“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
Laura West is a wife, homemaker, and writer seeking to make Christ known through her words. You can find her on
Instagram @lauraewest_ and @pleasureinagoodnovel.