Where do you feel close to God?

Hi Reader,

In November 2022, I was in Antioch for 11 days, where so much Bible history took place.

Technically, I was in Antakya, Turkey - which is the city where Antioch was.

At one time, Antioch was one of the most important cities in the ancient world.

Today, it’s a regular city.

Sadly, it was struck by a terrible earthquake 3 months after my visit.

There was so much destruction and loss of life that it's very different today than it was when I was there.

Even the hotel I stayed in is gone.

Antakya is known for its food, and these street snacks are popular:

(Left: cookies filled with either dates or walnuts. Right: sweet, rose-flavored crushed ice with soft cubes.)

Most of the ancient city of Antioch – the city of the Bible – is buried underground.

(A hotel built over historical ruins and mosaics. And the main river in town.)

Church of St. Peter - an ancient church in a cave in a mountain.

One of the most interesting things I learned in Antioch was about an early Christian man who lived in that area about 500 years after the Apostle Paul.

His name was Simeon Stylites the Younger.

Now, what I'm about to tell you will sound very strange...

Are you ready?

Video gif. A gray tabby cat quickly puts on a pair of round sunglasses and looks up. Text, "I'm ready." — Credit: Giphy

Simeon tried to separate himself from the world by living on a small platform at the top of a tall pillar for 68 years.

68 years.😲

Imagine that - living high up in the air, on top of a pillar, for the rest of your life.

There were others, as well, who lived that kind of unique life. So, he wasn't the only one.

Simeon began living on top of a pillar as a young child, and he changed pillars a few times during his life.

One was 40-feet tall.

a brown dog is sitting on a blanket and looking at the camera with the words `` wait what ? '' — Credit: Tenor

Simeon had the gift of healing and was very popular.

He performed countless miracles—so many that the story of his life begins by saying that they outnumber the grains of sand in the sea.

From the top of his pillar, Simeon healed people of all ages. He even healed a donkey, after its owner, who was apparently possessed by demons, had attacked it.

Simeon Stylites the Younger is distinguished from someone by the same name who also had lived much of his life on top of a pillar. That man is known as Simeon Stylites the Elder.

At a museum, I saw an old terra cotta piece that had an image of one of these Simeons (not sure which one), showing his pillar:

An antiquity from the 6th century in a museum in Antakya, Turkey

People climbed a ladder to see him for prayer and to receive the Lord’s Supper. In the image above, you can see the ladder, along with angels on each side of him.

Living high in the air was Simeon’s way of serving God or feeling closer to God.

Now, most of you are probably thinking that living on top of a pillar is strange.

But some of you might be intrigued.

You’re thinking...

It sure would be nice to get away and be like a monk or nun and live in the forest or a monastery. It would be great to live in silence and prayer, and maybe have powers to do miracles.

But others of you can’t imagine anything like that. And that's ok!

Yet, you may still desire to have a special place for time alone with God.

A special place that, when you think about it, you look forward to feeling closer to God there.