3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Being such a short epistle, we rarely find ourselves in the book of 3 John. But today’s verse takes us there where a simple sentence speaks volumes about the joy the Apostle John felt at those who were walking in their faith.
As a parent I cannot begin to speak of the joy my children give me. I find joy in the simplest actions by them. And pride is something I feel greatly along with that joy.
As a leader of youth, I have found that I feel the same pride and joy in all of the kids I work with. Whether they are the youth in my small group at church or the youth I work with online, I cannot help but be flooded with joy when I see them take a stand for their faith or walk in the Word. I feel the same joy for these youth as I do for my own children.
That said, I understand the sentiment spoken by John when he says he has no greater joy than to hear his children are living their lives for God and walking in the truth. Whether your own biological children or those you have mentored or discipled, joy is a natural response to seeing them follow God and live out their faith.
Are you working with someone? Are you “parenting” them as you walk out your faith alongside them? They don’t have to be your “child” for you to guide them and help them in their walk. They don’t even have to be younger than you. They can be the same age or even older than you. The joy you feel at seeing their spiritual growth is the same regardless of the age.
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