Matthew McConaughey, the celebrated actor, at one point in his life, felt a strong pull towards a monastic existence. The Oscar-winning actor considered dedicating his life to God, but a friend's advice steered him towards Hollywood, suggesting he would waste his storytelling gift if he became a monk.

McConaughey spoke about his calling to become a monk and how he revered the dedication required for such a life, admiring those who see God in everything natural. He discussed this with a Benedictine monk friend, now an abbot, who dissuaded him, emphasizing that McConaughey's gift was communication and storytelling. The friend believed that becoming a monk would be like dampening or covering up this gift.

The actor's contemplation of faith extends beyond his initial monastic aspirations. He experienced a period where his Christian faith was challenged, finding the world around him lacking in evidence of the things he wanted to believe in. He observed a decline in trust and a win-at-all-costs mentality, leading him toward cynicism, which he described as a "disease". During this time, McConaughey turned to writing poetry as a means of understanding the world and exploring his faith. His book of poetry, "Poems & Prayers," serves as a portrait of his faith and its impact on his daily life, addressing faith in himself, his family, his career, and the world.

Earlier in his career, after his breakthrough role in "A Time to Kill," McConaughey found himself struggling with the excesses of fame. He sought solace at The Monastery of Christ in the Desert, a remote Benedictine community in New Mexico. There, he confessed his feelings of being overwhelmed to a monk named Brother Christian for four hours. The monk's simple response, "Me too," had a profound impact on McConaughey, making him realize he wasn't alone in his doubts and fears.

Before his acting career took off, McConaughey had plans for a different future. Fresh out of high school, with newfound freedom and success, he considered law school. However, while in Australia, he read a book about forming good habits, which led him to reconsider his path. He realized that pursuing law school might be against his true self and that he wanted to attend film school instead.

Today, McConaughey is 55 years old. His journey reflects a deep exploration of faith, purpose, and the importance of using one's gifts. While he may have initially felt called to be a monk, his ability to connect with audiences through storytelling has proven to be his true calling.