SCRIPTURE
I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth." (3 John 4)
OBSERVATION
John's joy came from the spiritual maturity of people he taught and discipled (affectionately called children). Nothing brought him greater joy. There are a lot of things we can get excited about for other people: promotions, new house, job, the birth of a child. How often do we rejoice over spiritual growth and advancement?
John invested in the church personally...they were his children. It's a term of endearment, intimacy, and relationship. He was their spiritual father who saw to their well being. They were not talking the life but walking the life. Walking in the truth was following the way of Jesus, truth with a capital "T".
APPLICATION
Yesterday, I heard a mom talking about how excited she was that her son had just earned his Ph.D.. That is exciting stuff. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication and if Josiah pursues such a direction in his life I'll be the first one in the proud-parent, "that's my boy" line. Yet, when I read John, I can't help but think that there would be no greater joy (even a Ph.D.) than to have Josiah walking in the truth. Knowing Jesus and walking in relationship with him. Not just Josiah, but those who I disciple (my spiritual family). What could be better than to see people walking in the truth? No greater joy is a term of comparison...there is nothing higher than that. There are lesser joys (Ph.D.'s, promotions, etc.) but my heart should be the fullest when people seek God and walk after him. I need to cultivate those moments, spiritual father to spiritual children, encouraging others to walk in the truth.
PRAYER
God, give me eyes to see people walking in the truth and to recieve no greater joy.
