Pushing In The Same Direction

“Did you hear about the two moving men who were struggling with the big crate they found in the doorway? They pushed and worked until both of them were worn out. Finally the man on the outside said, “We might as well give up. We’ll never get this thing in.” All at once the man on the inside said, “What do you mean, get it in? I thought we were trying to get it out!” Sometimes we’re just like that: some pushing one way, others pushing another. There’s nothing like cooperation to get us working in the same direction and get the job done.”*

“I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord” (Philippians 4:2). Paul doesn’t elaborate on what the specific problem was between these two women in the Philipppian church. Obviously he knew and the church knew so there was no need to explain. The main concern was that they, like the movers in the story above, weren’t pushing in the same direction. In one way or another, they were at cross purposes. Notice also that the apostle wasn’t content to leave alone. He asks another member to step in and help them work it out (Philippians 4:3). Why? Because whenever individual members are at odds with each other, it affects the church. Perhaps Paul was thinking of this very problem between these two sisters in Christ when he wrote this earlier in the letter: “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves…” (Philippians 2:1–3).

Kingdom work is difficult enough even when we all work together. Let’s endeavor to make sure we are all pushing in the same direction.  

God loves you!

Mike

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