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Euodia is an older Christian woman who has a tremendous heart for God. Every Sunday morning, she arrives at church early to make sure everything is tidy and to set out bulletins on the pews before anyone arrives. As she weaves through the aisles and rows, she prays for each person that will soon be gathered for worship. She prays for those who are lost, for those who are shut-in, and for those who will be leading service. She is a beloved child of God, a sister in Christ.
Syntyche is a young and energetic single woman who has been coming for almost a year now. She fell in love with Jesus after reading the Sermon on the Mount and was blown away by his compassion for the poor and the outcast. She was baptized into Christ last summer and immediately developed a passion for Christ-like service in the community. Even though she works two part-time jobs, she always manages to carve out some time to serve in the food pantry, the clothing closet, or volunteer at the local women’s shelter. She is a beloved child of God, a sister in Christ.
When Syntyche first visited church, she caused a dilemma by sitting in Euodia’s seat. Those who noticed were in turmoil over what they should do. Should they ask her to move in order to prevent a possible confrontation. Should they pretend nothing is wrong and hope for the best? It was Epaphroditus who came up with a solution. Noticing the dilemma (as well as her attractiveness and lack of a ring), he decided to take one for the team and invite Syntyche to come sit with him in the perpetually vacant front pew.
But before he could implement his plan, Euodia stepped in. She sat down next to Syntyche and welcomed her warmly. She made no mention of Syntyche’s unintentional trespass and even offered her her own hand-stitched pew cushion. Over the next few months, these two women became inseparable at church as they demonstrated the bond of Christian love.
But then something changed.
Around September the relationship began to grow cold, then downright icy. By October, the whole church was uncomfortable in their presence. Even though the preacher did his best to affirm the church’s unity in Christ, he was not the only one influencing how these women felt about each other. The weekly hour of Christian formation could not overshadow the dozen or more hours of weekly political formation.
Each Sunday afternoon, and every weekday after dinner, Euodia would turn on a right-wing news channel while she cross-stitched the pattern for her replacement pew cushion. Meanwhile, Syntyche would have left-wing news channel playing in the background all week while she made custom t-shirt designs on her laptop for the women at the shelter. For one hour each week, these women celebrated their unity. The rest of the week they sat at the feet of those who would convince them of their enmity.
The conflict between these women became so destructive that even their missionary, who was on sabbatical, heard about it and felt compelled to address the situation. He wrote us a letter and included the following exhortations:
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
I plead with Euodia and Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help with these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. (Phil 2:1-2; 4:2-3)
He had a lot more to say (you know how wordy missionary reports can be), but it basically boils down to this: FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST, STOP! Stop subjecting yourself to counter-formation. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Rom 12:2) Do not let biased news sources convince you that those who vote differently are your enemy. Don’t let the politics of Babylon drive a wedge between citizens of the Kingdom. For, “our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Phil 3:20
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Drew Baker (D.Min.) lives in North Carolina with his wife Sarah, and their two kids, Jude and Rowan. He serves with Common Grounds Unity, Abilene Christian University Online, among others. In each of these settings, one is likely to hear Drew say something like, “That reminds me of something George MacDonald wrote…” Drew enjoys all things outdoors, acting, reading, photography, and playing guitar.
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