Nougat 4

Hi dear,

How are you? Is it well with our souls? Remember our spiritual lives as important as our physical lives. We have to find balance, as proposed in today’s Holy Nougat

“Dear friend, I’m praying that all is well with you and that you enjoy good health in the same way that you prosper spiritually.” ‭‭3 John‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭CEB

Spiritual Wellness

What if today was our last day on earth? – Whether because Jesus returned for the spotless church, or we are called home to glory. Where would our souls be, I wonder. Dear siblings in Christ, it is so easy to get caught up in the pressures of life to the extent that Jesus is sidelined. Or maybe not totally sidelined, but in the pursuit of happiness and prosperity we may find that we lose focus.

True prosperity is a combination of spiritual and physical well being long before the material comes in the picture. Note that John doesn’t focus on material gain, neither to celebrate its presence in the beloved’s life or to pray it into being for the beloved. I don’t think it is that the material is unimportant, but that it doesn’t need to be top priority in our lives. There are other more critical things while we are alive.

In helping us and the disciples understand, Jesus once shared a parable (or some would say a warning) of the rich, young fool. He was responding to an invitation to mediate over an inheritance dispute, to which He responded

“Watch out! Guard yourself against all kinds of greed. After all, one’s life isn’t determined by one’s possessions, even when someone is very wealthy.””( ‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭15) And the parable shared spoke to storing treasure without securing our eternal salvation. Just imagine – finally securing the good life, only to die before enjoying it; or have others try to kill us for it. The only thing that could be worse, is if our souls were not right with God.

Dear siblings, just a daily walk with Jesus can transform the hardest heart. Look at Saul-Paul – he was a murderer at heart if not in fact. Yet, even he, least among the apostles – by his o n appellation – found grace with God. And so can we.

Now, John prayed for the beloved’s physical well-being Even As the beloved’s Spiritual life prospered! It suggests that the beloved was prosperous spiritually. Moreover, it’s an assurance that we also can maintain a healthy lifestyle, with a strong spiritual life. It’s the essence of Matthew 6:33 “Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” ‭‭

My prayer for each of us in these challenging times is that our health prospers even as our spirits prosper. Thus, whenever that moment comes others can confidently say of us that it is well with our souls.

Selah

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May all we seek be found in Christ