By Kevin Cauley
The apostle John wrote in 3 John 1:2, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” John shows warm concern for brother Gaius regarding both the physical and the spiritual. Gaius soul was prospering, and John prayed that his physical health would be the same. John’s concern for Gaius’ well-being (both physical and spiritual) flows from brotherly love acknowledging his need for both physical and spiritual wellness, a balanced approach to living. Love desires balanced living for self and for others.
When we make physical pursuits the sole concern of our life, we will find ourselves being out of balance very quickly. We will move away from living to just surviving. Just surviving means constant worry about income, necessities, and safety. These things become an obsession that preoccupies one’s thoughts incessantly. Jesus addressed such poor thinking in Matthew 6:25-34. What was His remedy? “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:33-34). Jesus came to bring the abundant life (John 10:10). Jesus doesn’t want us to just survive—He wants us to live! The key to living is putting spiritual things first in our lives.
Are you living or just surviving? Let’s not permit the thief to steal away our peace, love, and joy in an ultimately futile effort to “secure” a better future. Let’s remember that today is a gift from God worth receiving and live for Him. When God is in it, we can live for the moment, and enjoy the abundant life.