The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth, because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us for ever:
Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.
I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children following the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. 2 John 1–4 (RSV)
One lifetime is not enough to thoroughly learn all the lessons that Scripture has to teach. You could read it through every week and still would encounter new insights with each reading. Thanks be to God that the Holy Spirit is at work, enlightening us through each reading.
I had not paid any attention to the word 'some' before my last reading of this passage. 'I rejoice greatly to find 'some' of your children following the truth,' Some, but not all, of her children, are within the Body of Christ.
I think of a conversation with a colleague whose children had all wandered from the faith. They were raised by loving, Christian parents who taught them well the treasure we have in Christ. They were never overbearing or unkind, showing the love of Christ in all circumstances.
Still, once grown and on their own, all had stopped worshiping or expressing any interest in following their Lord. It was tough for my friend as they watched their children leave behind the faith in which they had been raised.
However, they did not despair but continued to pray for their children, live as they could in Christ, and trust that the Holy Spirit was ever at work in the lives of their children.
As in the parable of the prodigal son, we all wander into that far country where we think we will find our real freedom. Even there, the Holy Spirit is working so that when we come to ourselves, we realize our true freedom, our true home, is in our Father's house.
My friend continues to pray for their children that they will remember their Lord and come home to Him as they journey through their lives.