Current Utopia - Above Consumerism (synchroblog on Utopia)

Utopia.
UTOPIA
UUUTTTTOOOPPPIIIIAAAAAA!!!!!

What is that word?
Here's part of the dictionary definition:
1. often Utopia An ideally perfect place, especially in its social, political, and moral aspects.
2. A work of fiction describing a utopia.
3. An impractical, idealistic scheme for social and political reform.

I was originally going to refer to the post below and make some quick reference to how I'm pursuing Utopia sailing the high seas, surrounded by dark energy, and enjoying the questions of life.

But Billy Joel changed that (or rather added a bit to it).

Yes, of all people...

Billy Joel

You can find the inspiring lyrics to "Movin Out" here

Let's go with definition number 3 above since true Utopia is impossible in this life anyway. But that shouldn't stop us from trying. Which begs the question, what is stopping us from even heading in the right direction. Think of Utopia as the Kingdom of God.

I find the answer that is stopping us, is the very thing that we are running after. The pursuit of happiness through the desire to accumulate wealth.

Alan Hirsh calls it the false god of our day. I agree. It permeates every part of our lives. When I lived in Los Angeles we discovered that status is determined by what kind of car you drive. In Colorado, it's more about the house you own. Since we drive a Hyundai and live in a college apartment complex our status is something we don't have to worry about.

And that's the point.

I'm not raging against those who drive a Beemer and live in 4000 square footer. Not at all. But we all are forced to answer this question, has our pursuit of 'stuff' blocked us from utopia?

We've all heard that wealth doesn't make people happy.
So why do we keep running after it?

The most freeing thing for me was to give up our corner lot 4 bedroom house (which we rented anyway) and our second car (which was also a piece of shit) so that we could be more free to live above consumerism and be more like Jesus.

Yeah, it sucks when we live by faith some months because we don't have a cushion. And it sucks sometimes when we only have one car and no yard for the kids to play in.

But we are closer to Utopia than before, because the only way to bring the Kingdom on earth is to live like Jesus. In short, I have more joy, with less stuff. I have more utopia from giving sacrificially than from buying the new _________________ (iphone, HDTV, second car, etc).

I am fully aware that not all of us are called to sell their houses and cars and move into College Apartment Town USA. But the point is - shouldn't we be at least asking the question?

A man comes to Jesus, driving his new SUV, and he says "Teacher, I tithe every month. I lead a mens' Bible Study. I go to church every Sunday - I'm even on the elder board and volunteer as an usher. I send money to charities around the world. And I pay for my kids to go to a Christian school. How can I get utopia?"

Jesus answers, "Sell your SUV. Spend time twice a month at the mission where people look and smell different than you. Give up an elder meeting once in a while to go spend time with those in a nursing home. Give your kids the knowledge of how to live like me in the world, by being in the world. And give your entire savings to AIDS relief in Africa. Then will you truly have utopia in this life."

And the man went away sad for everything he had done for Jesus was wrapped in consumerism.





Steve Hayes at Notes from
the Underground
John Morehead at John
Morehead's Musings
Nudity, Innocence, and Christian Distopia at Phil Wyman's Square No More
Nowhere Will Be Here at Igneous Quill
A This-Worldly Faith at Elizaphanian
Bridging the Gap at Calacirian
The Ostrich and the Utopian Myth at Decompressing Faith
Being Content in the Present at One Hand Clapping
Eternity in their Hearts by Tim Abbott
Relationship - The catch-22 of the Internet Utopia at Jeremiah's Blog
U-topia or My-topia? at On Earth as in Heaven
A SecondLife Utopia at Mike's
Musings
Mrs. Brown and the Kingdom of God at Eternal Echoes