Charles. A. Contemplative.

Ancient contemplatives. What was their purpose? Why did they go into the desert? Why did they leave everything? Family, friends, community, home… food. Why did these contemplative monks choose this solitary desert life? 

Paul of Thebes went into the desert. He left his sister in the hands of an evil husband. The husband who intentionally persecuted followers of the way of Jesus, and who handed out evil as if it were kindness. Paul abandoned family wealth which was acquired through generations of hard labor and perseverance. Paul left it all… but why, and for what purpose? What did he find in the desert cave that was worth leaving the people he loved the most? What desert treasure did he unearth that made him scoff at cultural expectations, and a life in community? 

The purpose of contemplative life. 

Praying in a desert cave, with no living thing around, except the occasional bird or curious wolf, doesn’t seem normal to the western church goer’s religion. Most importantly, it doesn’t seem to accomplish anything tangibly significant or missionally responsible. Right? But in that barren desert hole, Paul of Thebes found a life-giving treasure that offered him a more tangible significance and missional fulfillment than the western church goer will ever find in our consumeristic, and often self-serving religion.

Paul of Thebes, as well as Antony of Egypt, left everything to pursue God, and communion with Him. In so doing, they gained a humble perspective of themselves as was proper in the presence of the King. But they also received the eternal declaration made over them by an all-loving God as His dearly loved, and adopted children. 

Paul of Thebes, this desert contemplative, discovered life with God through simple, surrendered, contemplative prayer. His devotion to communion with God was even cherished and imitated by Antony, the desert monk of Egypt. Paul’s intimate pursuit of God through prayer did not serve as an avenue to accomplish a great task, or to make his name known as a great man of God. In fact, you may not have even heard of his name until this moment. The purpose of Paul’s prayers; the intention of his devotion; and the object of his contemplation was simply, God himself. Paul of Thebes discovered that the purpose of his contemplative life was simply to connect with God and to pursue His abundant, life-giving presence. 

To be loved by God is one thing, and to know God as your father is yet another. But call God your friend, and to have a deeply profound, conversational relationship with Him everyday is a transforming experience that transcends the known intimacies of human existance. The purpose of contemplatives, and the purpose of contemplative prayer is God Himself. 

His presence. 

Him. 

That is enough. 

Paul of Thebes died as he was praying. Antony found him. His body lifeless, but suspended in the posture of prayer. Hands raised in glorious praise, and ready for the eternal presence of God, and free from the pains of this world. 

The Life of Paul of Thebes, by Jerome; Paraclete Press, Inc., 2010