Celebrating someone else’s failure is almost always out of line. Nine times out of ten we ought to wish success for people in their efforts. But as we look at stories coming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we see a rare case where we should feel free to cheer at every false step, blunder, and mistake. Vladimir Putin thought that he had an easy opportunity flex his country’s muscle at the expense of a much smaller neighbor. He was wrong.
Ukrainian officers declared, even before the invasion, that a people fighting for their own homeland would be far more motivated than an army of soldiers fighting for… what, really? Russia has advanced, but far more slowly and with much more resistance than they expected. Ukrainians, right in the middle of their suffering, have shown the wisdom to broadcast Russia’s unnecessary violence to the world. Now much of the world feels united in support of Ukraine and Putin feels – whether he would admit it or not – humiliated.
As we all pray for Ukraine and grieve for the suffering of its people, let us also give thanks for the unity that this war has brought to us here. Sometimes our divisions, especially our political ones, have us feeling like the divided Kingdom of Israel. When the Israelites divided themselves into two separate kingdoms because they couldn’t get along with each other, it was always the arrival of a common enemy that reminded them that their true unity was in trusting God together. In troubling times with a man as evil as Putin in a position of power, what can we do but put our trust in God?
If you are wondering how God is calling you to respond and support Ukrainians who might be suffering, various churches in town are linked in with organizations providing aid. We are united in our desire to support people in need in the best and most efficient ways possible. Come talk to any of us, and we can help get you find the best way to offer support. Please continue to pray. We are better together when we face difficult times.