Ukraine, Russia and Christians
This past week I’ve tried to educate myself into the causes behind this terrible war in Ukraine. The history behind this is quite complicated. Not that long ago, Ukraine was more developed and militarily stronger than Russia. From the twentieth century until today, it has been embroiled in a constant struggle between its European and Russian ties. The name, Ukraine, literally means border state, as in the border between Russia and Europe. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, there has been a seesaw of power in its struggle to connect with and be influenced by Europe, and its past connection with Russia.
As a church, we are praying for, sending support to, and longing for peace in Ukraine. Our hearts go out to the people, and we wish we could do more.
But this war also reminds me of the very real war going on in many of us. It's the result of waffling between two radically differing value systems. The world we live in and the value system of this culture that we are constantly bombarded with has a very real pull on our thinking and choices, how we use our time, decisions we make, desires we have. But at the same time, if we’ve given our life to Jesus, there is another and very different value system pulling us toward Christ. That battle is real. And the conflict within can be bloody. The devil himself (who some see personified in Vladimir Putin) is angered at losing those who used to be his, and so he wages an all-out invasion. Sadly, there are far too many casualties in battle. Sometimes the enemy seems so much stronger and we feel like capitulating.
But it all goes back to that continued internal struggle. Who are you influenced by, and who will you be fully committed to? Is it obvious to those around us that we are the people of God, or are we simply the people of the world, speaking a mildly different language?
Not to simplify this terrible war in Ukraine, but it has been that waffling in their loyalty that made them more vulnerable to this terrible and unjust invasion. And the more you waffle, the more you put yourself at spiritual and emotional risk of the attacks of the evil one.
I wonder if the prophet Elijah were alive today, if we would hear a similar question that he gave the Israelites, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21 NIV). Which reminds me of Jesus’ words, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24 NIV). Stop trying.