Abba Lot went to Abba Joseph and said to him, “Abba, as far as I can I say my little office, I fast a little, I pray and meditate, I live in peace and as far as I can, I purify my thoughts. What else can I do?” Then the old man stood up and stretched his hands towards heaven. His fingers became like ten lamps of fire and he said to him, “If you will, you can become all flame.”
— From “The Sayings of the Desert Fathers”
To me, becoming flame means becoming who I’m meant to be, or in other words, becoming fully alive, fully driven by God’s love.
It involves
- the pain of discovering who I’m not meant to be and allowing that to be burned away;
- the joy of gradually accepting that God loves me and won’t leave me to my own devices;
- the mystery and uncertainty of following Jesus on paths only he knows, hoping and believing they lead to light, life, and the consuming fire that is the love and glory of God.
I wish simply and humbly to offer whatever help or encouragement I can to all who seek or find themselves on a similar path. I’m no theologian, no spiritual leader, no Bible scholar, no doer of great deeds; I stumble through life, I struggle to make sense of the world around me, at times I barely know what I believe. But I’m willing to share what I have in the event others might find it helpful.
I encourage you to visit the very first post for more introductory information you may find helpful.
Grace and peace to each of you…
dw
becoming flame 