We think people going away to find God are weirdos, anti-evangelization, lacking social skills, or losers. But the stories as St. Anthony’s prove the opposite. The wilderness is a speedy, intense and radical way of finding purpose in God, overcoming temptations, leaving nonsense behind, tapping into the supernatural without being put on pedestal, creating a community and impacting society, both Christian and seekers.

Find a wilderness for a reset.

Carry it inwardly. Find places and times of solitude.

Resolve to stick with the basic solitude practices, no matter your state in life.

Share the fruit of your dwelling with God with those who seek Him.

Move in the power of the Spirit on His terms.

Don’t mind time.

Create a zone in your heart where you can cultivate a garden for His Presence. Let all missionary activity come from there.

Never give up. You were made for greatness.

The church that was born in the desert gave us the way of radical pursuit of Jesus who calls us to Himself for Himself. This church articulated spiritual warfare on the heart level, insights into what we call now mortal sins, and the ways of healing of the heart which modern psychiatry is tapping into only now. It left us with praying the Scriptures, praying for healing in all aspects of human life, singing the Psalms and creating communities in the midst of unforgivable environment and mediocre Christian life.

St. Anthony of the Desert, pray for us.