I Danced with God Last Night: Livin’ Large and Lovin’ It
By Rev. Dr. Maxine Thomas, Columnist
The third epistle of John 2 says, “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.” The writer said, “I pray.” What are your thoughts and prayers concerning others? Oftentimes, we want others to pray for us and to have good and kindly thoughts toward us. We want them to want us to be in good health and have things go well with our souls. Yet, how many times have we prayed for the stranger, orphan, or widow? Better still, how often have we allowed ourselves to be an answer to prayer?
The text says, “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.” It is not holy to be “homey.” Now, I know everybody has their own style and manner of dress. Everyone has their preference when it comes to the type of house they live in and the kind of car they drive. Yet, there are those who feel that to live a certain lifestyle—one that reflects an appreciation of material wealth—is sacrilegious. Not so. Even if you drive a Lexus or BMW; shop on Rodeo Drive in Hollywood, California; and have a closet lined up with St. John’s suits, that would not compare to the riches of our heavenly Father.
Psalm 50:10 says, “For every wild animal of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.”My Father is rich in houses and land. He holds the wealth of the world in His hands. We don’t serve a poor, raggedy, broken down God. We serve a great and mighty King!
I’m so glad that in the midst of God blessing me, I can still give Him all of the glory. My Daddy is the King; and just like any Dad, He wants only the best for His children. God is not a one-sided God. He desires that we prosper in every sense and regard. So, it’s not just spiritual wealth but God wants you to walk like, talk like, dress like, drive like, and live like you are a royal child of the King. God’s Word says that we are to be in good health and all go well.
Put God first! Praise Him just like you’ve lost your mind! The only one who does not want you to prosper is the devil. He is the accuser and the father of lies. The Lord has promised good to me!
My friend, sickness is not of God. Jesus died on the old rugged cross that we might be healed from every sickness and infirmity. It is His desire that you walk in health and wholeness. Do you really want to be made whole or have you become comfortable with your illness? Do you really want peace of mind or is it more comfortable to continue to have others’ pity? Do you really want to walk and live in victory or is it easier to say, “Someday I’ll be free?” God wants you to be in good health!
The Scripture says, “just as it is well with your soul.” While God is blessing you spiritually, He’s also doing something in the heavens regarding your finances. When you are obedient, God will bless your daily living, He’ll turn around and make you the head and not the tail. He’ll bless your going out and your coming in. He’ll cause everything that you touch to turn to gold. God has a blessing and it has your name on it. Matthew 6:33 says, “But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” No good thing will He withhold from those who diligently seek Him.
Exhale! What a relief it is to know that God’s blessings and bounty are not limited. I release the cares of this world and receive the abundance of His love. Yes, He gives me all things.
The Rev. Dr. Maxine L. Thomas is an ordained itinerant elder in the AME Church and is currently the assistant pastor of Quinn Chapel AME Church in Louisville, Kentucky. She is also the president of Women in Ministry for the Thirteenth Episcopal District. Dr. Thomas is the founder and executive director of Sisters Keeping the Covenant, an adjunct professor, Christian author, and events coordinator. She is married to the Rev. Troy I. Thomas and they have three young adult daughters.
