Like many of you, I’ve watched the news of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with a heavy heart. I’ve received requests for prayer from friends and ministry partners for Ukraine from all over the world. The pictures of explosions and destroyed buildings in Kiev and Kryvyi Rih bring back memories for Valorie and me of our time there just four years ago.
This morning I received an email with the following message. “We are appealing to you at this dark time for all of us, when black clouds from the explosions are blocking the sun over our capital. Tonight, the elite special forces of the Russian Federation along with the Chechen Muslim units will storm one of the most ancient and beautiful cities in the world, the spiritual capital of Eastern Europe – the city of Kiev. Everyone who can hold a weapon has risen to defend the capital, including students, school children and even the retired. Tonight and tomorrow are crucial. Everything that the entire civilized world believed in and built up thus far is at stake. With tears in our eyes we ask you, regardless of the time zone, to spend all of this time fasting and praying to God. Pray that the Lord will protect us from the individuals who want to mock the faith and truth of God.”
If there ever was a definition of “crisis”, this surely qualifies. How do we respond? First we pray. More than anything else we can offer, pouring our hearts out to God is most coveted by those in need. We ask the God of the universe to intervene and stop this war. This Sunday we will have a special time of prayer in our service for the victims, the aggressors, and for the world leaders who are responsible.
Second, we help as we can. Thankfully our ministry partners, Samaritan’s Purse and World Relief, are already in motion ministering to victims of this violence as well to the flood of refugees who are fleeing. Our support for these Christ centered relief workers allows them to show compassion and mercy in Jesus’ name in places we cannot go.
Third, we assess our own situations in a fresh light. If Christ can uphold our brothers and sisters under attack from Russia, then we can trust that He will stand for us in our struggles. This doesn’t diminish whatever challenges we’re facing today. On the contrary, it encourages us as to His strength. Christians throughout the centuries have stood strong in the face of great persecution, attack, and heartache. Paul told the church in Corinth, “So we do not lose heart.”
What is your “crisis” right now? We all face them in our lives. This Sunday we start a six-week series called “Lessons from Life’s Crises” from 2 Corinthians 4. By God’s grace we will “…not lose heart.”
Leaning on the everlasting arms,
Kurt
P.S. Knowing our final destination is part of what allows us to rejoice. We will celebrate the lives and “home goings” of Jane Carpenter on Saturday, March 5, at 2:00 pm, and of Gladys Lampe on Wednesday, March 16, at 2:00 pm, in person at Valley Church.