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Years ago, when we were living in upstate New York, we definitely had the best garbage guys ever. They were a ragtag crew of two, operating in an old, way-past-its-prime, shouldn't-be-on-the-road, kind of garbage truck. On our garbage day (Thursday if I remember correctly) we never knew what time they would arrive. It could be eight in the morning or it could be eight at night. But they were nice guys and even seemed to find joy in their work.
I will never forget one day when they arrived (yet again at a random time), I yelled out across the yard, "How are ya?" The head guy yelled back, "Just living the dream, man, just living the dream." I have to admit, I was a little surprised by what I heard. I have nothing against garbage guys -- they fulfill an important role in society and its noble work - but in my mind, this line of work isn't exactly "living the dream."
I believe that man was sincere. I don't think he was pulling my leg. And I love his outlook on life. His words reminded me of what the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-13. "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.....I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Paul suffered greatly at times during his ministry. But no matter what the circumstances, Paul could be content because he had learned contentment as a servant of Christ.
Consider your own life. Think about all you have.....your job, your family, your possessions, your community. Most of you will quickly see that God has blessed you.....big time! And if you are a Christian, you are infinitely more blessed because of what God has done for you in Christ. Through your faith in Christ, your sins have been forgiven, and you have been delivered from the domain of darkness (Colossians 1:13). Truly, you are "living the dream." What is so amazing is that it only gets better for the Christian. The true Christian lives with the hope of an infinitely better life in Heaven (Revelation 21:1-4).
We live in a world that is filled with people who have it all, materially speaking, but they have little joy and contentment in life. Their souls are empty and hollow. They carry out a sad, sorry existence, never living for anything bigger than themselves. Contrast that with those who have been "born again to a living hope" (1 Peter 1:3). Contrast that with those who are living the "abundant life" (John 10:10) that is only found in Christ. Contrast that with those who have "the joy of the Lord" (Nehemiah 8:10).
You tell me....who is living the dream?
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Rev. Daniel Stegeman serves as pastor of Pine Glen Alliance Church in Lewistown. He blogs at pastoral-theology.com and is the author of Help! I Want to Be a Loving Husband.