A Desert Saying

There was a young novice in the desert who went to the elder, the holy man of God, and said,

"Father, according as I am able, I keep my little Rule, and my little fast,
my prayer, meditation, and contemplative silence;
and according as I am
able, I strive to cleanse my heart of thoughts.
Now, what more should I do?"

The elder rose up in reply and stretched out his hands to heaven, and his fingers became like ten lamps of fire. He said,

"Why not be totally changed into fire?"