Dodging Disunity

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. . . . Help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Philippians 4:2-3, NASB

FOR YEARS I worked as a team leader of a college ministry, serving with others to meet our one common goal: to show and share Christ to college students. We knocked on sorority houses, we built relationships one by one, and we listened to the students’ stories, boyfriend tales, and overall college drama. We held programs about sisterhood in Greek houses, prayed with the students, and offered the Good News in a variety of ways. We were a strong team with a common goal.

But along the way, small seeds of envy and jealousy slowly and stealthily snuck into the cracks of our team relationships, weaving their way through the foundation of our team’s common goal of knowing Jesus and making Him known. Arguments started, faces grew hot and red, and fists began to clench during staff meetings. The goal of the gospel had disfigured into individual goals of being great.

Unfortunately, this disunity has been a part of the church for millennia. The apostle Paul had witnessed the same situation in the church at Philippi between two women, who had fallen out of their normal rhythms of showing love and unity toward each other. Something had wedged its way between these two women, and he wouldn’t have it. I am not surprised.

To speak to this issue, Paul reminds them of their identity. Of their call. Of where their name is written. He asks them to live out of their right standing with Christ, rather than living just to be right. Paul shows them—and us—how our position in Christ supersedes our position anywhere else.

He called these women to remember their mutual struggle for the gospel. They struggled for a cause and ought not struggle against each other. He also regarded these women as his equals, as fellow laborers whose names were written in the Book of Life.

Members of my team eventually humbled themselves and worked out their pride and envy. They regained their focus, put on unity and grace through confession and forgiveness, and worked toward restoring their relationships. Thank God.

When I put on the clothes of pride and envy, I’m lagging and weighed down. When I sacrifice community for my own name, I forget my true goal and purpose. When I feel myself reaching for my own fame, I know I have forgotten the Famous One. Let’s not forget. Keeping the King as our focus and treasuring unity with our brothers and sisters as our prize is grace upon grace.

GRACE REFLECTION: Pray with me, “God, search me and find any growing seeds of disunity in my life. Show me where I have allowed cracks in community to spread. I want to be a woman who fights for community and gives grace to others. Amen.”