July 2020

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For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:9


A Reflection on Philippians 4: 1 -- 7

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

These times of physical distance from so many loved ones due to the pandemic, including being distanced from our church family, have helped me to empathize with the sentiments Paul expresses here. In Paul's day, distances were not easily traveled. He felt that geographical distance from fellow believers as deeply as we've felt our pandemic distances.

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

We aren't told what the disagreement was between these two women, which is good. By not knowing the specifics, Paul's words are more universally applicable to any disagreement between believers of any time period. Do we have disagreements among believers in the same church body today? All you have to do is look at social media to know that's true.

Here's the thing, Euodia and Syntche were both believers who labored together for the sake of the gospel. Their names are (not might be) in the book of life, Paul says. Notice that Paul didn't assign blame to either woman, but instead urged them to "agree in the Lord," which says to me that it's possible to disagree, and still come to agreement "in the Lord". I love the illustration given by A. W. Tozer in The Pursuit of God of the way to achieve unity in the church.

Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow (96).

Yes! If the Lord is our "tuning fork," then what beautiful music we will make together!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.

As believers, our reasonableness (or lack thereof) is known to everyone around us. Are we strutting around complaining that we're being denied our rights as citizens? Or are we self-sacrificially doing everything we can to love our neighbor as ourselves for the sake of our greater, higher citizenship in heaven? Are the clever, pithy memes we post on Facebook uplifting and encouraging? Or are they defaming and demeaning to those with whom we disagree? What does the ordinary everyday "music" of our lives sound like to those around us? Harmony? Or discord?

The Lord is at hand.

Ah, yes. Thank you, Lord, for being ever-present and available in our lives. Can there be any more encouraging words than these?

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Thank you, Lord, that we don't have to be anxious because we can bring both our gratitude and our groanings to you, and that your peace, Your peace, which is beyond explanation, will guard (not might guard, not will sometimes guard), will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Help us, Lord, as followers of The Way, to make beautiful, harmonious music together, especially now when everyone around us, including fellow believers, so desperately need to hear it.

Daye Phillippo

July 2020