Most Christians want to be closer to God. The early Christians had the same hunger. In the Egyptian desert, a monk named Germanus asked an elderly father named Isaac the same question you might ask: how does a person actually live close to God, not just believe in Him from a distance? Isaac’s answer was recorded by John Cassian in Conference 10. It is four steps. And anyone can begin today. The Goal Every human being wants joy that lasts. Not a moment of happiness that fades.

Like a baby My prayer is help A soft cry Or loud wail: Help me Father Help me Jesus Help me Holy Spirit Help me Mary Help me Joseph Help me Michael Help me Angel who guards me Help me all you radiant saints. Love me Help me Thank You I love You I am Yours

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 18:3 What Jesus Actually Said He didn’t say become childlike in sentiment. He didn’t say recover a sense of wonder, though that may come. He said become like children. Present tense. A change. A becoming. It is worth sitting with that before we rush past it. What a Child Actually Is Think about what a small child actually is, in the most concrete terms.