Eternal Joy Comes Through Relationship with Jesus

Certain truths are so robustly self-evident that they often transcend being espoused by only one faith tradition. Many not only transcend Abrahamic faith traditions, or Western religions, but are likewise held by Eastern traditions. In such cases, one should stop and take notice. On some level, many inherently affirm, or can at least intellectually assent, to such universal truths, yet very few incorporate them in any manner into their lives, making their veracity of any tangible benefit. In what follows, a delineation of a select few of the more salient and axiomatic truths that transcend the borders of different faith traditions will be addressed and through the prism of Christianity. 

That the paradigm of Christ is chosen here to be the touchstone or ultimate authority for each discussion is a factor of the current author’s presupposition that although all religions contain truth, it is God in the person of Christ that is the ultimate manifestation of truth and revelation. One caveat: What follows is by no means exhaustive, nor is each principle examined from each faith tradition and its various strands. What follows are a few selected insights often underemphasized but of essential importance. It should also be explicitly stated that from a Christian perspective, we finite human beings do not always know precisely the trajectory the Triune God takes on every subject for a variety of reasons (e.g. scripture is often silent on modern issues, can be variously interpreted and debated if later editorial emendations are present and it can be questioned  whether or not particular Gospel texts actually contain the very words of Jesus – the ipsissima verba – thus bringing to the fore the question if recourse to scripture in particular matters is even beneficial). It is thus in a spirit of humility and reverence for our Creator that the following is offered up to the reader in hope that in some, albeit perhaps small, manner what follows will bring a measure of hope, comfort or help by bearing these understandings in mind and putting them into practice in one’s life. 

One does not truly live until one dies to self

Die before you die. This axiom stressed by the mystical strand of Islam, Sufism, admonishes one to realize what we all know to be true – It is not all about me, but, rather, it is all about God! This understanding stressed by Sufi Mystics further implores us all to die to self and live for God and others, a universal, transcending messages extolled by virtually every faith tradition, one that if practiced, ironically, brings true life. Albeit, this message is counterintuitive and certainly countercultural, perhaps even subversive for some, particularly in the West. A famous Sufi mystic, Al-Hallaj, believed and advanced this to the point that he actually claimed to be God, though his message was sorely misunderstood, costing him his life. What he meant was that he no longer lived, but he had died to self and thus only God lived in him. Essentially, he wanted others to understand that he had relinquished or gave up self to be close to God. He no longer existed but God did and this was blissful. He claimed to reach union with God and no longer cared about himself. This is not all that different than what one finds in the New Testament as will be disused below. Perhaps he was too aggressive in claiming union with god, but his sentiment was admirable. Sufi mysticism essentially says that true mysticism is living for your brother. 

If one looks to mystical streams in Judaism, Rabbi Israel Ben Eliezer, known as the Baal Shem Tov, translated as master of the good name, one finds similar sentiments. This mystic that Hasidic Judaism today understands as its originator also espoused that one must give up self or die to self to truly live. He likewise added that bliss will follow and is part of what it is to truly worship the divine. He further emphasized prayer over study of Torah, though always affirming the importance of Torah study. 

When turning to Christian tradition, Saint Pope John Paul II likewise said that you do not truly live until you die to self. This is particularly difficult for a Westerner to hear, as our culture advances individualism as a salient virtue promising success, so measured by standards not consistent, nay even at odds, with a spiritual life. We want our autonomy. We have to be in control. Heaven forbid we give up control to anyway – especially God. St. Augustine said all sin is pride. Perhaps it is the start of virtually every sin, and it is pride that keeps us from relinquishing our autonomy and desire to give up self for God and others. Some have suggested in the etiology of the story of original sin, that it was not the taking of the apple, or more specifically piece of fruit, that was sinful but, rather, that the humans sought their own autonomy. In St. Benedict’s chapter IV on the Instruments of good works, he implores one “To hate one’s own will.” Jesus stresses the same point in many different ways as recorded in the Gospels. Recall his prayer in agony to the Father at Gethsemane before the Passion where he bravely uttered forsaking His will for the Fathers: “Your will be done” (Matt: 26:42). I once heard a priest on TV say “Christianity is never about self.” Galatians 2:20 reads, “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” Though nuanced, one can easily glean that virtually all traditions understand a sense of dying to self in order to truly live.    

How does one tangibly go about living out this belief? I would suggest you should be cognizant of when you start to realize you are thinking about a problem you have, and then say to yourself that it truly doesn’t matter. Who cares, because I have died to self; God and his purpose is what matters. Just try this for one day and see what happens. Truly dying to self will have tangible benefits to humanity and counter intuitively one’s self. Fear diminishes or ceases such as the fear of death. Let us recall the example Saint Mother Teresa provides; you cannot say one human being cannot make a huge difference in the world by giving up self in light of her beautiful ministry! So many of our world’s problems are because we must hold onto our autonomy and letting our pride get the better of us.     

Research has revealed that there is a difference between happiness that comes by helping others, truly altruistic happiness, and one that comes from a mere gratification for the self, such as making a lot of money. There is a genuine scientific difference in the body and the latter one is actually associated with all kinds of medical ailment whereas the former one is not. Indeed, focusing upon God and living for others is what truly gives lasting happiness and union with God.   

Seeking the things above is what matters

Regarding the traps and pitfalls of the world and why they are so ever present in our lives, St. John Chrysostom in a homily wrote: 

And why, it is asked, are there so many snares? That we may not fly low, but seek the things that are above.  For just as birds, as long as they cleave the upper air, are not easily caught; so also thou, as long as thou lookest to things above, wilt not be easily captured, whether by snare, or by any other device.

In the same sermon, he continued:

The man who hath mounted aloft will no longer admire any thing in the affairs of this life…so when thou hast ascended to the heights of spiritual wisdom, nothing upon the earth will be able to fascinate thee, but every thing, yea even riches, and glory, and honour, and whatever else there be of that kind, will appear insignificant when thou regardest heavenly things.

This exhortation reminds us of the importance to first and foremost seek the things that are above, which constitute truly living, or living better, and ties in with previous universal truth claim. How does this tangibly look in our day? I submit it means something as simple as not watching too much of the junk on TV, for it helps to separate us from God and makes us dumber. Much of the internet and its ridiculous stories do the same. We strive for things that do not matter in this life, when it is a simple life that looks to the things that are above that is an important life. The Hebrew Scriptures implore us on the pages from the prophet known for his social justice to “Seek the Lord and live,” (see Amos 5:4; 5:6) and to “Seek good and not evil that you may live” (Amos 5:14). Perhaps this constitutes a simple life and one that seeks first the things from above, which inevitably leads to giving up self for others and God. Thus, seek first the spiritual for none of the rest ultimately matters. In so doing, peace comes, albeit oftentimes slowly, a peace through faith, as Jesus reminds us: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” (John 14:27). One should also recall the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.” 

Materialism is antithetical to spiritualism

There is a relationship between spirituality and materialism. The more spiritual one becomes or more god-conscious, or closer to God, the more one loses attachments to money, possessions, and material things. One will not care about money but about God. This will sound ridiculous to some, which suggests such a person needs to examine where they stand in relation to God. The more you have quite often the less close one is to God; one consequently and perhaps subconsciously does not see a need to rely on God as much. 

One of the central tenets of Buddhism is that desire is the root of all our problems. If we rid ourselves of the desire for money, or to be the most popular or best in a particular field or endeavor and so on, life becomes exceedingly easier, as shedding these desires is freeing. Joined with this is also an ability to stop and enjoy every moment in life, even the seemingly small and insignificant ones. Too many people walk through life unhappy, perusing the wrong things such as monetary and material gain, which on some level we all know does not bring true happiness. Most individuals, by their experiences, can attest to the credibility of this understanding. Granted, it is particularly hard to live out this truism in our lives, but one can—with effort.

Members of religious orders that take vows of poverty tell us this relationship between spirituality and material goods is correct. They also tend to see God more in the details than those who have not because their existence is one in which their daily subsistence is completely dependent on God’s providential hand. Members of these orders simply rely more on the divine to supply the basic necessity of life’s need as opposed to those not in orders who oftentimes populate life with material things and who have an abundance of money. It is certainly not inherently wrong to have money and possessions; however, one just need be cognizant that these things may blight our desire for God and darkening our eyes to see God’s graces and providence. 

The problem with Western Society, though really a problem for all of humanity, just more pronounced perhaps amongst Western Societies for rather obvious reasons, is that we love money more than God! Rampant American materialism is a true problem because of our great abundance and this is a valid critique arising from other cultures from the rest of world, though this is a problem of any wealthy nation. The more you have the more problems you have. I once observed a bumper sticker that read “Want More, Desire Less.” Mystics and ascetics have it right – purge possessions for true freedom. This action will allow one to be free to enjoy life, family, friends and more open to God and God’s creation. The ministry of St. Francis of Assisi should come to one’s mind when realizing that less is more.

Recall Jesus’ teaching that we should try “not to worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (Matt 6:25). I believe Jesus wanted humanity to know that God provides, just as the story of Abraham’s near sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 22 explicitly tells readers. Also, one should recall Matt 6:19-29: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” As my grandfather used to say, when this life is over, we cannot take anything with us. Thus, we should all stop living our lives as though we can. Live for others, focus on God and release the weight and need of things that tie us down. 

Doubt is a natural component of faith

Doubt is a natural part of authentic faith. This is something that is rarely talked about and likely denied by some, though nonetheless true. Faith oftentimes entails getting out of bed and continuing in spite of times when one does not really believe, which comes to all people of mature faith, if they are honest with themselves and others. Numerous commendable figures worthy of our admiration lives, or faith journeys, attest to this little talked about reality. C.S. Lewis is one example who struggled after the death of his beloved, Joy Davidman. Most are familiar with Mother Teresa’s night of dark hour or years in which she felt not only that God was silent or absent from her at times, but that she lacked faith in God. Some of her letters have recently come to light, letters which she wanted destroyed, reveal not only her lack of faith at times, but doubt and disbelief in God. But for these people and all of humanity, that was only part of the larger painting. Their disbelief later was glorious because it paved the way for faith again. Doubt only preceded faith, so one must never stop but keep pushing on until God again appears. 

One must understand that whatever is going on in one’s life, God is not yet finished painting his picture. Our skepticism and doubt in the now serves a larger goal, which upon the culmination of time ends with God’s glorious plan being revealed. Our doubts or disbelief for a season serve to make our faith stronger at a later point; they might serve so that God’s grace and glory might be revealed in God making himself known to us at such a juncture. Remember, there is a very real sense that God acts with intentional ambiguity. Life proves this to be true for virtually all of us, and the Apostle Paul reminds us that we now can see only dimly through a mirror (1 Cor 13:12). This will not be in the life to come; all our questions will be answered and our hearts mended. Recall Romans 11:33-36:

“O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him, to receive a gift in return?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.” 

In realizing the paradox that faith is sometimes accompanied with doubt, one need recall one of the central messages of the late Saint Pope John Paul II to the world: “Do not be afraid,” and that it the most frequent line of all of Scripture.

Love is what it is all about

All that really matters is love. All of humanity desires it. I have an uncle who said that the most important thing one must do in raising a child is to give them love, for if you do not they will spend their rest of their lives searching for it and in all the wrong places. If one strives to act lovingly in every situation and too all of humanity, this will not only stave off so many of the world’s problems but also bring true happiness and fulfillment to oneself. The problem with Christians is that they fail to act like Christ! Perhaps that is why Mahatma Gandhi said that he would be a Christian if it were not for Christians. We Christians quite simply do not take Christ’s message of love for all humanity, especially the marginalized and disenfranchised members of our society, seriously. Perhaps it is the human condition and no one can love everyone all of the time, but we must strive toward this end, especially Christians who are called to emulate Jesus of Nazareth. All would agree most are wonting in regards to the love we show others and can at least do a whole lot better on this score. So, we must try and sometimes we will succeed, making it worthwhile and improving the lives of some, never knowing when it is actually making a big difference for some or precisely what they needed at that moment, a bit of love.

As touched on already, another snare for humans is that we substitute other things or ideas for love or misplace where we put our love. One real problem is that we put our doctrines and our ideologies above our God and humanity! We love the wrong things. Dare I suggest we even love our countries before God! I believe it was Sigmund Freud who said that nationalism is an infantile disease. Perhaps our ideologies have become our gods. Dare I also contend that some even put their holy scriptures above God! Thus, we should work on loving more – loving God and all his children regardless of creed, class, nationality or even religion! One needs to look to the example of Christ. One should also look to the central message that comes from the book of Jonah in the Hebrew Scriptures – that God loves all of humanity, even the hated Assyrians! We are all God’s children – no exceptions! And it will do us well to remember that love is God’s very nature (see 1 John 4:8,16).

Embrace the mystery of it all

Experience tells us all we cannot figure out life, why things evolve the way they do and the many intricacies of human existence. On some level, we do not know where we came from or where we are going, but that we came from and are returning to God. As already alluded to, there is a sense God acts with intentional ambiguity and that – the ways of God are far beyond our comprehension. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that our ways are not God’s ways. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says Yahweh” (Isa 55:8). That is actually a good thing we should embrace. This concept of not being able to truly understand all aspects of this world, much less the world to come, also helps with coming to terms with the issue of theodicy, the issue that most people lose faith over. Theodicy is the justification for a deity’s goodness and rightness in light of all the pain and suffering in the world. Perhaps the answer to theodicy’s question lies in the notion that there is something to the idea of predestination and God’s providence in all the details of one’s life. It is pure conjecture, but perhaps all the horrific pain that exists in the world that some experience acutely is allowed by God because God in his magnificence allowed us to choose before this life if we wanted to experience certain hardships, even horrific ones. Perhaps God allows us such immense hardships and experiences for whatever reason because we fore choose them to, perhaps, allow ourselves to learn or go through them for some end, which alludes us in this life. This is wild speculation, but it is all to suggest that God is in control and we cannot even begin to scrutinize God’s ways. We can, however, rest assure God’s ways are far superior to ours, that He is in control and that all of life and the variety of experiences that adjoin it work together toward God’s plan and magnificent end. It is no doubt difficult to embrace the idea that it is alright to live with ambiguity, but when one does knowing God is in control, life becomes easier. 

In conclusion, these six simple-yet-universal truths do not serve as a blueprint for monetary success but, rather, as an aid for true happiness and peace that transcends understanding. Mother Teresa once told a British politician that we are not called to be successful but we are called to be faithful. Whenever we do not strive to put God first and seek God’s purpose in every aspect of our lives, it often does not go well for us. By so placing God first, it also cultivates an attitude of gratitude and one surprisingly begins to enjoy mundane must-do aspects of life such as cooking and even cleaning. This perspective of putting God first also helps one to marvel at all aspects of life, even, cleaning or doing chores. Buddhist traditions have stressed this point. Things will oftentimes go better for us when we place God at center stage, or one is at least not phased as one normally would be when negative occurrences arise. Prayer also helps one to make God the center of one’s existence, which in itself is a prayer to God, and brings peace to one’s being— eliminating worry. 

If one frets about a particular issue such as what to do with a problem at work or in a bad relationship and instead directs attention to God, affirming God’s grandeur and providence over and against our problems – all other worries and problems fade and miraculously are taking care of by, I suggest, whom you are now focused on – the Lord! It is amazing; try it and change your entire life! This does not purport to be the health or wealth gospel. You won’t necessarily heal your sickness or even solve all your problems, but you are given a new perspective and peace even in the midst of trials. It is the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7). And when life gets rough, which it inevitable will, as hard times come and go, remember that our spirits oftentimes know. That is to say, listen to your intuition. It is usually correct that prayer can help to guide one toward the right course of action or help ward off danger. It is the piece of each and every one of us that touches the divine. Perhaps it is the Imago Dei. Recall that it is the Holy Spirit that intercedes and prays for us when we are not capable of praying (Rom 8:26), which is often the case when hard times befall us. The Holy Spirit guides us and talks to us, so we should cultivate a life worthy of the work and presence of the Holy Spirit. 

Releasing the need to control everything is abundantly beneficial to any person. A measure of peace embraces those who do this. We must learn to let go of things when appropriate, as one will never have everything exactly as you want it. Life simply does not work that way. Circumstances might or might not work out as you want it. Remember, we are an exiled people. Home is not here but in heaven, and this world will never be heaven. St. Augustine was correct when he began his Confessions by writing that in relation to the Lord, humanity’s “heart is restless until it rests in you.” And our rest comes in the life to come, a joyous hope for everyone! One should try and think of every aspect of life as though you are on a vacation – marvel at it all and remember you are on vacation or in exile – I prefer the former metaphor to the latter for obvious reasons, as the latter connation joins with it a perspective of entrapment, being stuck or in prison. Focus on God, be on vacation and relinquish the need for control. Cultivating a Christocentric vision is of utmost importance – live for others; seek the things from above; relinquish the need of material possession and money; embrace the mystery of it all; remember doubt comes but keep going because God is not finished with his work and above all love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul and love all of God’s children and creation (see Deut 6:5; see Mark 12:29-31)! This is the spiritual life we all need to work toward and when we do, we are transformed and at peace, manifesting that it is not my will but thy will that shall be done. 

There is only one thing that will cultivate authentic joy in one’s life – a relationship with Jesus the Christ, nothing else will.