How Long Shall We Stand Aside and Look at Ukraine
I have never been in a war zone, and I can’t imagine what it feels like to run for your life, seeking shelter to escape the bombing that is ravaging around you while leaving behind your home, your belongings, and your friends and family members. It must have been a terrifying experience! The destruction of property, the loss of lives and the journey into the unknown is exactly what the people of Ukraine are going through right now.
Three weeks ago, at the beginning of the war, many of us hoped for a quick and peaceful resolution. We had hoped that Russia would stop its campaign of bombing and spare innocent women and children from dying. But so far, there is no end in sight. Four rounds of negotiations between the Russians and Ukrainians have occurred with no substantial outcome thus far.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t sit peacefully by in my cozy house in Hopewell and not spend a minute without thinking about the Ukrainian people. The destruction of human lives and the flow of refugees is daunting to me. Moreover, the impact of the war has come to our shores - skyrocketing gas prices is one example. The future of Ukraine seems bleak and uncertain, and no one knows how the war will end. We should be concerned.
Tom Friedman, in his opinion piece of March 8, 2022 in New York Times, worries that Putin has no good way out. “He can choose to lose — early and small and a little humiliated or late and big and deeply humiliated,” says Friedman. According to Friedman, Putin seems hell-bent on the latter, and that is terrifying.
“The only one thing worse than a strong Russia under Putin” continues Friedman “is a weak, humiliated, disorderly Russia that could fracture or be in a prolonged internal leadership turmoil, with different factions wrestling for power and with all of those nuclear warheads, cybercriminals, and oil and gas wells lying around.”
The world can’t afford to let it happen. Americans can’t relax as long as the war is waging in Ukraine and impacting all of us. The global Christian Church can’t sit idly by while innocent children and pregnant women are being killed.
I am a believer in the power of prayer, but I think we can do more than pray. We can volunteer to sponsor a Ukrainian family as the Biden administration is easing visa requirements. We can donate to UMCOR so that needed supplies can be sent to Ukraine. We can call members of congress and let them know how we feel. There is so much we could do to help ease the pain and anguish of our brothers and sisters from Ukraine. We just need to be creative.
In His Name,
Pastor Will
