Amongst the many ways we can, and must, respond to the war in Ukraine, there is one we cannot afford to neglect. Irrespective of how long we might spend worrying about what Putin might do, we need to spend still more time considering what God might do – and, indeed, what he has already done. If we fail to do so we are liable to find our souls downcast, overwhelmed by fear and devoid of hope.
For we make a mistake if we imagine that it is Putin who has the power to ultimately determine the future.
Make no mistake, regardless of the forces that may be at his disposal, the one whose actions are motivated by hate is not strong. On the contrary, such a one is weak – pathetically so. It is those whose actions are motivated by love that are strong.
Shortly before he practiced what he preached, Jesus said, ‘Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.’ [John 15:13].
Already this past week, out of love for their country, their people and their families, too many have already made this ultimate sacrifice. They deserve our utmost respect and, those whom they loved and who now find themselves left behind, our utmost, support – tangible as well as emotional, practical as well as prayerful. Nonetheless, as we join those who mourn their loss, we can still hope in the infinite power of God, the greater power of his love and the paradoxical yet everlasting power of the cross.
‘Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.’
[Psalm 43:5]
Related posts
To read, ‘Weeping with those who weep’, click here
To read, ‘But this I know’, click here
To read “Suffering- A Personal View”, click here.
To read “Why do bad things happen to good people – a tentative suggestion”, click here
To read “Luther and the global pandemic – on becoming a theologian of the cross”, click here
To read ‘Covid -19. Does it suggest we really did have the experience but miss the meaning?’, click here. This is a slightly adapted version of “T.S. Eliot, Jesus and the Paradox of the Christian Life’.
To read, ‘But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope’, click here
To read “Hope comes from believing the promises of God”, click here
To read “Waiting patiently for the Lord”, click here
To read “Good Friday – 2021”, click here
To read “Easter Sunday – 2021”, click here
To read “True Love?”, click here
Some musings 
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