Your Home. Your Skete.

Your home is a Skete.

But wait – what is a Skete?

In 313, Constantine the Great issued the Edict of Milan, commanding Christians be treated kindly throughout the Roman empire.

Christian persecution of every type – approved and encouraged until then – ground to a halt.

With this new favor Christians became integrated into politics and elite society. Church life shifted from hardship and trials to a life of opulence and privilege.

Soon after this shift astute observers noted a disturbing trend: the easier Christian life was, the more shallow Christian faith was. There was no longer a need to depend on God or each other.

Some of those observers grew fearful of this and decided their only option was to pursue a life where they were again dependent on God and each other. A life that was not easy.

They fled to the wilderness outside the cities to live as hermits in caves and huts. As they gave up the easy life they discovered God met them in both expected and unexpected ways. They became known for their wisdom, their nearness to God, and their selflessness.

Eventually, people from the city began pilgrimages to the desert – seeking these selfless and seasoned people for spiritual guidance.

History books call them “The Desert Fathers and Mothers”. And they remain famous as individuals who could offer profound spiritual insight and guidance.

Some of these fathers and mothers gathered in communities in the wilderness for the sake of shared rhythms, sustenance, and spiritual mentoring. Those small communities became known as “Sketes”.

God designed the home-life of His People to be the original ‘Skete’ – a place where daily rhythms are woven together with the sacred. A place set apart for training us in wisdom, nearness to God, and selflessness.

He intentionally placed 'parenting' and home-life into the middle years of our human life-cycle. Our calling to succeed as a 'parent' or 'spouse' naturally demands our growth in selflessness and Godly character. It calls us to see the world through His eyes – leaving behind the world's busyness and enticing distractions. Home life and parenting teaches us that a meaningful life with God is simple, rewarding, and beautiful. 

Parenting is a training gym for spiritual athletes. Don't take short-cuts. Do the hard work. The hard work is meant for your benefit as much as that of your family.

If we receive the gift of parenthood and home-life wholly, it can be more effective than any seminary program or spiritual retreat money can buy. In His wisdom and love, God provided us with everything we need.