Euodia and Syntyche

What was it that Euodia and Syntyche could not agree on? It's actually not too hard to imagine. What trips up woman to woman relationships in the year 2009? The beginning of what could possibly be a very long list might include:

approaches to parenting which could including the question of birth control, home births or hospital births, homeschooling or Christian schooling or public schooling,

working in the home, or out of the home

race

worship preferences

being overlooked for a ministry opportunity

not being remembered on a special occasion

comparing looks, gifts, personalities,

politics

Christian liberties

etc.

This morning we learned that unity comes when believers "knit their hearts together by thinking as one about all the things that matter most." And we learned "the greatest threat to peace is ME." (meaning each of us)

Is there a woman in your life with whom you have no peace? Is there someone you are avoiding? Is there someone with whom you need to be reconciled? Is it possible you don't even remember why you have an uneasy feeling when a certain someone walks in the room? What part of this kind of breakdown in relationships is a result of faulty thinking?

What does God's Word tell us we must do? We must "agree in the Lord." We can get beyond differences (which will inevitably come) by focusing on the things that "matter most." When we think about who we are in the Lord; when we think about Christ has done for us through His death on the cross; when we think that we've been adopted into the family of God, it will not matter so much that we've been offended, forgotten, overlooked, or sinfully judged.

Finally sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

How strong is your commitment to right thinking for the purpose of pursuing this bond of peace with the women in your life?