Philippians Chapter 2 — What Stands Out

This is the second post in my series on lectio divina and Philippians.  Here’s what stood out for me in Chapter 2

“….complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”  Phil. 2:2

I’m a peacemaker.  Teamwork is one of my core values (L. A. T. C. H. On To Your Core Values). Nothing gives me more pleasure than to get a group of people together, work on a project and feel good when it is completed successfully.  On the other hand, it’s exhausting and painful when those around me are at odds with one another.  I’ve been in situations where I’ve felt like the little boy with his finger in the dam, trying to hold things together while the flood waters keep rising.  It’s not a good place to be.

The hard lesson I’ve learned over time is this:   I can’t control others  Sometimes the dam breaks and all I can do is get out of the way and wait for flood to subside.  Still, I pray for and desire unity, especially in the body of Christ.  I guess the apostle Paul felt the same way  He had invested in this group of believers, he loved each one of them, and he wanted them to love each other.  This was his hope for them.

I’m reminded of one of the Psalms that I also love:

Behold, how good and pleasant it is
    when brothers dwell in unity!
² It is like the precious oil on the head,
    running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
    running down on the collar of his robes!
³ It is like the dew of Hermon,
    which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
    life forevermore.  Psalm 133

For more on Christian unity see these posts:

Unity in the Spirit

Unity Not Uniformity

Dwelling In Unity