3 John 1:2 (ESV) “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”
Does anyone remember the old kid’s song, “Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, I think I’ll go eat worms . . .? “ Sometimes it is easy to feel that way because something in life goes wrong and we feel like no one sees us. Sometimes we believe the lie that God doesn’t see us, which is why 3 John 1:2 is so impactful. “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” John makes three simple prayers that reflect God’s care for our body and soul. Sometimes we forget God cares about all parts of our life and this is a great reminder that the whole life matters.
John begins with, “all may go well with you.” Maybe you are facing hardship or maybe life is easy, but God walks with us through it all. John’s intercession reminds us it’s okay to ask for peaceful blessings in daily life. Next, John moves to the physical side of life by saying he is praying for good health. He cares about what Gaius is doing in the body as well as emotions. Most of us have been injured in some way and it was just nice having someone come sit with us or send us a card. God cares not just about our spiritual life, but our physical body as well (don’t forget when you stub your toe)! John is modeling how we should pray for the people in our lives to be well physically. Of course, he then moves to the soul. When our souls are out of sorts nothing else really falls into place. John wants his dear friend to be well no matter what else is happening. His prayer is for Gaius to be full of God’s love and grace so his soul (his innermost being) is full or well. When I am full of the confidence of God’s love, my soul is well.
I got a text from a friend the other day, who shared about the impact I have had on her life, and just her reaching out meant so much, it made a huge difference that day. In discipleship the whole person matters, their circumstances, their bodies, and their souls. Maybe we should start praying for the whole person like John does for Gaius. Here is my challenge for you today, ask God who in your life needs a prayer or a verse or a call or text. Then go encourage them! God will use you to make a difference in their day just as he makes a difference in ours.
Pastor JJ