GOING HIGHER

Symeon the Stylite (390?- 459) was a Syriac ascetic saint who achieved notability for living 37 years on a small platform on top of a pillar near Aleppo (in modern Syria). The Greek word ‘style’ means, “pillar.”

It seems that Symeon did not want to be bothered while he was trying to pray and have quiet time. He first went to a monastery, then to a cave in the Desert and still too many people bothered his solitude and then he went to live in a crevice of a high mountain… but people still came and bothered him, so he eventually went up on a pillar about 10 feet off the ground and still people bothered him. So he went to one 50 feet up in the air and stayed there 37 years. As I thought about this guy I started thinking about the practical aspects of living on top of a pillar in a 4’X4’ square feet of space with no roof, no running water, no TV and no computer or cell phone. I already pretty much knew what I thought of the man…as I thought of other missing practical issues up on the pillar… well… whatever. I think you could say that theologically I am ‘non-pillar.’

It’s back over to the other side of the pond for me and I am going to sit on the porch in a rocking chair and thank God for running water and electricity and my sugar pea plants…although they are struggling.

“But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Jesus