Become the flame

I am going through the Renovare Book Club this season and the next few weeks is a journey through Glittering Vices: A New Look at the Seven Deadly Sins and Their Remedies, by Rebecca DeYoung.This particular week is on “vainglory”.

She gives a lecture on the subject HERE.

But the story at the end of her presentation is a story that I wanted to share again here because every time I hear it, my spirit weeps with longing. This is the deepest longing I have in my walk with Christ. It is a story from the Desert Fathers.

Abba Lot went to see 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.”