I Am Syzygus
9 02 2010
Tuesday Re-mix – This is a popular post from last year, updated and resubmitted for your consideration and comments.
(This is the second in a series of posts from Philippians 4 about church conflict)
Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help
these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel,
along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in
the book of life. Philippians 4:3
Have you ever thought about your name and wondered how it has shaped you or influenced you as a person? I have…
My
name is Syzygus. It is Greek. There really isn’t a good English
translation of it, but “yokefellow” comes pretty close. It’s a bit of
an embarrassing name, actually, because it is a reference to oxen in a
yoke. I have no idea what my parents were thinking. But today, looking
back on my life, I’m glad they named me Syzygus. When I think of how
God worked in my life, it fits. I suppose it refers to a co-laborer
wearing the same yoke as you, pulling along with you. If there is any
truth to the old adage that names do reflect something about us, then I
am a true friend who has walked along with you during good times and bad
times, never leaving your side. I am a person who has been coupled
with you through difficult service together. I have grown to trust you
and you have grown to trust me. I am your “yokefellow”.
I suppose I was not surprised, then, when
Paul called me out in his letter to my church in Philippi. I had been
yoked with him in ministry and had been yoked with Euodia and Syntyche
as well. I knew them well and they knew me and trusted me. As much as
I did not want this assignment, I was exactly the right person to
confront them about their disagreement. In his wisdom, Paul knew that.
I suspect Paul also knew that all of us
in the church were a bit perplexed about what to do with these two
sisters. We knew their broken relationship had gotten out of hand, and
we knew someone needed to love them enough to confront them about it,
but none of us wanted to do it. I suppose we were all hoping someone
else would step up, or maybe by some miracle Paul himself would be
released from prison and he would come and do it. Hey, don’t laugh,
it’s happened before.
But there would be no miraculous prison
break this time. One of us (or perhaps a few of us) in the church would
have to step up and deal with this conflict. Personally, I usually run
from it. I really hate conflict. I don’t like getting up in other
people’s business, I don’t like being perceived as judgmental, and I
don’t like sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong. Frankly, I can
probably think of at least a dozen other excuses if you give me a little
time. Bottom line: none of us in the church wanted to do this, but we
all knew it needed to be done. Some argued it was the pastor’s job.
Others argued it was the elders’ job. I was neither. I was just
someone who cared deeply for these two women, which is why Paul knew I
was the right person to do this. After all, if it were me who needed
confronting, I would want it to be someone whom I trusted and who I knew
loved me. Why shouldn’t Euodia and Syntyche have the same benefit?
I pray that, when you need someone to
tell you the truth about yourself, you will have a “Syzygus” in your
life. And I pray that, when someone you love needs a “Syzygus” in
his/her life who will help him/her see the truth, you will step up and
be that yokefellow for him/her. I pray that, when God touches you on
the shoulder with that assignment like Paul touched me, you will kneel
down and pray and then go. And I pray that God will use that experience
to change your life the way He changed mine.
I am Syzygus. And I am so very glad for that.
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