Peace through Rejoicing

Scripture: I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:2-4

Observation: Paul has one final message before his true farewell to the church in Philippi, and it is about an issue involving two members. It is not clear if they are in disagreement with the church, or they are in conflict with each other. He asks others to provide them council. However, what he says next is the most interesting, for he does NOT ... speak an opinion about the conflict. He does not offer correction, truth, or wisdom (as Paul freely does in other letters). Instead, Paul tells them all to ... rejoice!

Paul doesn't just say 'rejoice,' he says it again! Then he goes on to expound on such behavior, telling them to be gracious to one another, to be thankful and not to worry about daily life, and to pray about both needs and joys. The final summary of the instructions is the more famous verse 8 ... that we are to simply focus and dwell upon those things that are honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, morally good, and praiseworthy. When we simply focus on these things in life, we will have peace.

In the end, whatever is the issue involving Euodia and Syntyche, the solution is this: If they would just focus on rejoicing and experiencing all the great things the Lord has done, then whatever other matter is the problem becomes utterly meaningless to the point of not even needing attention.

Application: We are all human, and all of us - especially me - take "issue" with others. These 'others' may be part of the secular world around me, but sometimes they are my brothers and sisters in Christ. Sometimes they are even my pastor or my family members. Paul's point is so true ... if I were to simply spend time praying, worshipping, and meditating on the great joy the Lord has placed in my life and in all the world around me, there could never be an 'issue' with anyone, ever. I wouldn't even have the mental bandwidth to acknowledge such issues, let alone spend energy to care.

Expending energy and active behavior in rejoicing would create a bubble of peace all around me, and permeate every aspect of my life. I don't need to hypothesize about that as a potential outcome, but rather it is obvious and I intuitively know it to be true.

Today, I will rejoice instead of worrying about all the terrible stuff like elections, work goals, travel plans, etc. Oh, all those things still exist; I'll be exposed to them and/or have to address and solve challenges associated with them. However, they won't bother me. I'll be at peace. And the Lord will hold my heart.

Prayer: Lord, in you I give all praise and thanks. May I focus on your goodness and your good things today, those things are the honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, good, and praiseworthy. I rejoice in you, my Lord and my God. Amen.