Fireworks

And as the fireworks explode in an immaculate dance of light and sound thousands of eyes look onward for each visual award. Rich eyes, poor eyes, abused eyes, controlling eyes, evil eyes, innocent eyes, amazed eyes, and apathetic eyes. As the finale began with a giant explosion the eyes of a man who had watched his brother die only a week before quickly blinked. But as his eyes were closed for a split second he saw the visions of his brother throwing the football in the backyard as the sprinklers soaked everything in sight. And the same flash of light that opens his eyes back up is seen in the Independence Day sky by the eyes of a woman who would soon watch her son move away, but at that same moment her son's eyes were focused on the blurry highway in front of him as he drove home intoxicated. The next lights of shimmering fireworks were captured by the eyes of a young boy whose eyes would seen be watching his big sister slowly fade away in a hospital bed after being hit by a drunk driver on that very night. Another flash of light; murderous rage. And another; pity and fear. Yet once again; powerful regret. And as the final explosions of the finale faded away, every eye longed for just one more blast of light before they had to look around at the falling world around them.

What are we living for?

The other day as I was driving (the best time to think aside from lying awake in bed, mowing the lawn, and during a teacher's lecture) I begin to think about the world around me. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I just begin to look around at what everyone was living for.

Oh, the beautiful American Dream.

Johnny is given Baby Einstein videos and maybe even put in some advanced daycare, why? So, he can do well in Pre-K and Elementary school. Why that? Well to succeed in middle school and high school of course! Well why that? To get into a good college and get a good degree. Again, why that? Well to get to a good graduate school? I'm getting repetitive, but why that? To start a career where he can make lots and lots of money? Only once more, why's that? So Johnny can retire and rest easy. He can sit on all the cash he's earned up, relax somewhere on a beach, and drink mixed drinks as he watches the sunset.

A pathetic dream if I do say so myself. Right now one some of the most heavily advertised things in America are retirement plans and options, proving that the American Dream is truly to be prepared for several years of laziness, glutton, and sloth. Something not uncommon in America, but to truly say that is what many, if not most, people's lives revolve around is a sad sad fact.

I thank God that he was merciful enough to send his son Jesus Christ as a sacrfice to make up for my sins, and that now I can live out my life for him. I desire to live for him; glorifying him and spreading this wonderful news we call the Gospel. In a country striving to fight for and spread the American Dream, I'll instead lean upon the everlasting Gospel and spread it to hopefully the ends of the Earth (which has occured for me some in Africa and Taiwan).

I've looked at practical way of fighting this problem personally and have come to a conclusion. When I get to the point of "retirement," (likely in dentistry, but we'll see where God takes me) I will dedicate the rest of my time on this fading Earth in the mission field. Rather than being selfish with this time where I no longer have to struggle to stay financially stable, I will use it to glorify God and bring the Gospel I undeservedly was blessed to others.