The American Dream is somewhat defined as the spirit or set of ideals, like liberty, equality, and opportunity, that describe the aspirations and expectations of the American people. It includes the idea that hard work can result in upward mobility and greater opportunity.

There is nothing wrong with this dream, and I am thankful to live and work in America.

When I came to Christ as a needy sinner, however, He did not promise me the American Dream.

He did not promise a life without sorrow or pain.

He did not promise that this world would love me.

He did not promise that life would always be fair.

He did not promise prosperity or abundance of material things.

He gave me, though,

• A clean-washed soul, forgiven and kept through His sacrifice,
• Joy that thrives when the world is at its worst, because it is centered in His unchanging Person rather than in the circumstances that surround me,
• His love that upholds me through the good, the bad, and the unfortunate,
• Grace for every moment of every day and mercy when I fail,
• Strength for each challenge, and there are many in this wayward world,
• Companionship, for He never leaves me alone,
• Comfort in my deepest sorrow,
• Life eternal with Him. It has already begun, and death will only be a comma in its continuance.

What He gave and continues to give to outweighs all the glitter of this world. It is the dream that exceeds all others,

and it is reality.

II Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

II Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Photo – Sunset, Beth Mims