But, what are we to make of those who have achieved the American Dream (regardless of how they have chosen to define it for themselves), only to arrive at pain, suffering, and ultimate heartache? Is surviving for a chance to move up the social ladder and arriving at our productive and eco-social potential all there is to our American existence?
Time and again we can turn on the television to find another Hip Hop icon arrested for spousal abuse, a multi-media mogul charged with tax evasion, and another athlete throwing their life away on drugs, women, and cheap thrills. There is a blackness, I say, just beyond the mirror of ourselves. And, sadly, the dream of a better life does not elevate us as far as it was billed to do.
On the other hand, there are real Americans, everyday, living their own dreams. Fulfilling their sense of purpose. And truly enjoying life, with the hardships and the everyday problems that come with living. These Americans are the role model of what makes this nation a great place to live.
More than that, there are people who survive daily, on the outside of the American Dream. They are rogue. Off the map. And confusing to the mainstream media and most passersby at your local night club. They are real people. And they sip from a cup that is poured from a hand as real as your own.
They are like the woman who waits patiently for her husband to arrive home from working two shifts, in order to support their growing hospital bills and prescription expenses. She kisses his head and offers to make dinner, even though he knows well, she doesn't have the strength to get out of bed.
And they are like the 35 year old, 6' 5" Calvinist preacher, blessed with a muscular physique, a loving family, and a brain tumor. Yes, that's right. Blessed. For, he is grateful God has counted him worthy to endure it.
Suffering Well: faith tested by pastor's cancer.
What are we to do with these people? They simply don't fit the mold. They are suffering. But, for some reason, they are suffering well, capable to pass through the dungeon of pain with a smile. This stuff defies even the most optimistic Hollywood movie. It is the stuff of legend.
When everything popular culture and even popular religion (that sells God as a cross between Santa Claus and your great grandfather) says about happiness is unable to provide answers, what are we to do with those people who have seemingly found happiness, even inside of their own troubles?
C.S. Lewis wrote:
It is a very consoling fact that so many books about real lives—biographies, autobiographies, letters, etc.—give one such an impression of happiness, in spite of the tragedies they all contain. What could be more tragic than the main outlines of Lamb's or Cowper's lives? But as soon as you open the letters of either, and see what they were writing from day to day and what a relish they got out of it, you almost begin to envy them. Perhaps the tragedies of real life contain more consolation and fun and gusto than the comedies of literature? (75; Originally published in The Letters of C. S. Lewis to Arthur Greeves [4 December 1932], p. 445)
And then there's more. Surely, my friend, there is more to this life than the stuff we can attain and amass in our storehouses. Tell me, who has ever needed a support system, who has everything they have ever wanted? Not one man. Not one single man. For, as I age, I am becoming aware that pain has a great purpose. For, from within it, we learn more about life, about God, and about the blessings He bestows on those who truly need Him.
Freud once remarked that man invented God so he could have someone to take care of him. Today, his words ring truer than they ever have. For it is personal space, personal health and the accumulation of money that have proportionately replaced our corporate memory of God. Those gods cannot appropriately take care of anyone. They can't fix cancer, sickness, nor death.
But, the Father of ancient times, as dated as He may seem, is still written in books, professed to exist by many, ordinary people. And, contrary to popular thought, might just use pain to bring us closer to Him, to protect us from ultimately not believing in Him, and feeling as if we don't need Him for anything. Just a thought...
The men and women who are truly filled with light are those who have gazed deeply into their own imperfect existence. ~Brennan Manning
If, we ever make it to that place, where we become plainly aware of our fragile state, we may suddenly realize nothing else matters but the presence of our Eternal companion, He whom makes this statement to us, "Come now, my beloved. My lovely one, come." Song of Solomon 2:13
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