It’s a question we often see in advertising, isn’t it? And what many lifestyle, travel & ‘reality’ programs are based upon, showing us what they think ‘living the dream’ is, which is often having extreme wealth that is beyond the means of ninety nine percent of the world’s population.

However, these programs assume everyone has the same notion of what living the dream looks like. When in actual fact it’s different for each individual.

Can we live the life of Riley?

Have you heard of that saying? Riley was said to be a extremely wealthy Irishman & thus where the saying is said to have originated.

The question that I ask myself is; As a follower of Jesus & His Kingdom do I want to live the life of Riley?

Now there are certain doctrines out there that would say a resounding Yes to the above question. However, our source should always be God & His Word not man’s doctrines. Thus when examining these doctrines, God’s overall Word & principles need to be taken into account.

First let’s look at the definition & meaning of Doctrine;

Doctrine is a set of beliefs that are held and taught by either a Political party, Church group or Other group.

We could easily go on several tangents here but I think the best way to reflect upon this topic is to look at this through God’s following promise;

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29: 11 AMP

So God has promised to give us a future & a hope. Now let us also read what Jesus told us while here on Earth;

“… in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

John 16: 33 AMP

You see if we study God’s Word we won’t find promises that we’ll have the latest luxurious products or popular lifestyles but what we do find is assurance of His peace & comfort in our lives no matter what comes our way.

It always concerns me when I see people chasing after the hollow promises of this world, spending precious time & energy being blindsided by trying to live the dream that the commercial world propagates when the only life that is truly fulfilling is found in relationship with Jesus. And Christians are not immune from this commercial propaganda either.

This world’s Commercial & Hedonistic ideal of the “dream” that we’re witnessing more & more these days just doesn’t align with God’s Word & principles.

What is Hedonism, you ask?

Hedonism is the theory that pleasure (in the sense of the satisfaction of all human desires) is the highest good and proper aim of human life no matter the consequences or impact upon others.

Hmmmm…

But what does God’s Word tell us about living in Him?

Romans 12: 1 tells us;

‘… I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating yourself, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service & spiritual worship.’

Well that doesn’t align with Hedonism…

And;

‘…do not be conformed to this world (age) any longer with its superficial values and customs, but be transformed and progressively changed as you mature spiritually by the renewing of your mind, focusing on God’s values and attitudes, so that you may prove (for yourselves) what the will of God is, that which is good, acceptable and perfect in His plan and purpose for you.

Romans 12:  2 AMP

You see God’s plan & purpose is vastly different from the world’s philosophy, for God is planning eternally where the world’s concern is only in the here & now.

Now I can hear some asking;

But Jennifer doesn’t God want us to experience pleasure?

Well yes He does, just look at the wondrous Creation He has gifted us & the beauty surrounding us every day. We only have to look into the faces of our loved ones & experience the pleasure that brings. And in what He provides for us on a daily basis & we can say a wholehearted & resounding yes!

However, have you noticed that with God’s gifts that bring pleasure we don’t have to chase & we don’t have to get into insurmountable debt, become obsessed, addicted or emotionally wrought for His provision!

Consequences of Chasing a lifestyle that isn’t in God’s plan & purpose…

Over the many decades I was Clinically Counselling I had many, many people come with their marriages & families on the brink of breaking or had already broken because they’d been chasing this so called “dream Life.”

And either had got into so much debt through over financially committing themselves with mortgages & loans that they couldn’t service or credit card debt from over spending or infidelity (often these are linked).

And without a doubt in a majority of these people’s lives it was from trying to work & live this advertised “dream life” to give their family what the advertising world or social media was saying that they had to supply!

And when we discovered what their real ‘dream’ life actually looked liked, before they had taken on the world’s, they realised that this advertised “dream” wasn’t actually what they had wanted at all.

As they all had unique dreams for not only themselves but for their families compared to the lie they had believed beforehand.

So what did they want?

All wanted their families together, to spend more time with those that were important to them & that they loved rather than chasing after ‘things’ that don’t last & really have no meaning in the grand scheme of things!

Most definitely wanted a home, but one they could afford. And all wanted to work in what interested them rather than in their current jobs, that they loathed.

You see chasing after stuff (including a purported ‘lifestyle’) distracts us from God’s plan & purpose for our individual life. It reminds me of the following scripture;

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

1 John 2:16-17 BSB

Please don’t believe this world’s lie my friend but look to God for His plan & purpose for your life for that truly is the ‘dream’ like no other.

Until next time,

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

or in Prayer

---

© 2025 Jennifer M. Ross, All Rights Reserved. Photo by Diego F. Parra on pexels.com

Blog Party link ups