The Pursuit of Happiness and a Heavenly Home

I read a book recently that proposed the idea that it is our attachment to things of this world that will keep us out of Heaven. This, to me, was very thought provoking. As I began to ponder the notion, many things seemed to fall into place. It definitely proposes a very interesting perspective on our experiences of pain, suffering, poverty and loss. It can also offer us some insight into various parables and messages from the Bible.

Is money really the root of all evil? No, not really, it is the love of and attachment to money, something that is of this world, that lies at the root of evil. The desire for money and wealth clouds our hearts and minds of truly virtuous endeavors.

Why is it easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God? (Matthew 19:24 and Mark 10:25) I would propose, because the rich man has an attachment to many things of this world; money and riches just a few of those things among them.

1 John 2:15-17

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

When we suffer loss and disappointment, do not the things of this world seem less important? Doesn’t loss and suffering purify us and reveal to us the truly important virtuous desires of our hearts? When a house is destroyed because of fire or during a horrific car accident; isn’t the first concern the safety and well-being of all? Isn’t this a symptom of love, the greatest virtue of all and something not of this world?

Some of the greatest teachings from our Early Church Fathers come to us through letters written during their confinements in prison. Places Saints Peter and Paul spent a considerable amount of time for their beliefs and Faith. In prison, men and women are stripped of all “things of this world”. This can enable the body and mind to be stripped bare, so that the true desires of the heart and soul can manifest themselves. How many prisoners are converted in today’s realm? Faith, religion and hope are very much present in the isolation and desolation of our prisons.

I would imagine the same is true of people living in poverty. Their experience may seem terribly unjust to us, but upon more reflection, their lives are more pure and less polluted by the vices of this world. Their hearts are much more open to the value and importance of living in virtue, because it is all they have. Virtuous living becomes what and who they are. I believe this is why they are so willing and able to die for their Faith, beliefs and LOVE for Christ. The have a glimpse and already experience the true happiness that Heaven offers, they are already living within that eternal LOVE. They have already been through the purification of heart, through their suffering.

How many of the Saints we revere today lived lives of poverty, hermitage, and service? How many of them gave up lives of wealth and luxury to serve, fellowship and live among the poor and forgotten of society? They rid themselves of the “things of this world”, to seek the truth, and to live in virtue. These Saints dedicated their lives to prayer, meditation and others; and they became Holy.

Pain and suffering can bring us into a more oneness with God, if we offer it all up to him. God does want to deprive us of comforts and good things, he just doesn’t want those things to become more important than him. Our obstacles are actually roadways that lead to him, if our hearts are ready and prepared. If we do not allow ourselves to be damaged by the vices of this world; vices that this world holds in great esteem and high regard.

How different would this world and our lives be if we: sought humility instead of pride, were generous instead of covetous, valued chastity over lust, were meek instead of angry, practiced temperance instead of gluttony, lavished each other with brotherly love instead of envy, and had a spirit of diligence in our work, instead of exacting idleness. Instead of dreaming of that fancy vacation, new car, or bigger house; let’s focus on pursuing virtuous ideals and practices and let’s expand and broaden our commitment to prayer and God. I would imagine our lives would be very different. I would also predict that we would find a true peace and happiness, and an existence that nothing of this world can ever offer.