Ukraine and Russia have been at war for a little over two weeks now. Even though I don't follow the news much (save for sports), reading about this war has become unavoidable. While I want to be mindful how I post about this, I do feel a sense of obligation to at least write something, to not pretend like I don't know it's going on. From where does this sense come? As I've been working to grow in my faith, and taking on more responsibility as an adult, a man, and a Christian, avoidance is not an option, at least when it comes to big events.
In truth, I don't know what to think about this war. Now, before the casual observer who might be reading this becomes quick to "help" and "educate" me, please note a few things: 1.) I'm not asking for advice. There are times when I do want advice or education. When those times come, I will ask for it. This is not one of those times. 2.) I am and have been praying for everyone involved. Jesus cares for the oppressed, but He also cares for the sinner. He comforts those in need -- the widows, the orphans, those in need financially (or otherwise). Both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible indicate multiple times where God says what to do and how to take care of others. But, He also cares for the sinner. God reached out to Cain both before and after he had murdered Abel. God still blessed Moses in other ways, even after Moses had forfeited his privilege to enter the land of Canaan. God still favored King David, even after he murdered Bathsheba's first husband and covered it up. And so on. Yes, He will not wait forever for a person to come to repentance if they refuse, but He also doesn't have a quick trigger.
Ukraine right now is hurting, but around the world, it is also being painted a little too black-and-white regarding the war with Russia. I'm not going to pretend to know what Vladimir Putin is thinking. He has his reasons, rightly or wrongly, and I suspect that we don't know the whole picture with him, or even with his counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy. It appears at present that Zelenskiy is beloved and Putin is reviled. Not sure why. Maybe there are excellent reasons for both. But, given my distrust of the media at large for all of its coverage over the last two years, I find it difficult to trust the popular opinions given of both leaders -- and both countries -- at this time.
As such, I don't know what to think of this war. But, I will share a few things that I do think:
- I do think the bombing of the children's hospital in Mariupol is terrible. I think that taking out military bases/sites/strategic locations should be the goal, and not hospitals.
- I am concerned about Russia's seizure of the Chernobyl nuclear plant. Not so much that I think Russia will turn into a madman and do something to that power plant (like blow it up??) that will cause havoc in the surrounding areas and have far-reaching effects; I don't necessarily think Russia is "evil" in that way. But, because Russia (and Putin) are full of humans -- i.e. sinners -- just like the rest of us, I do worry about, if the EU (and/or NATO) get more directly involved, how Russian control of that power plant could play a role in affecting the whole world. But as concerning as that is, something else concerns me far more:
- The potential use of nuclear weapons. According to this article here, Russia has more than any other nation, and Russia and the US together reportedly have 93% of the total world's arsenal. Even though my worldview and politics have shifted over the years, my concern about nuclear weapons has not. I've had dreams over the years about nuclear weapons, and I've had dreams about getting up and fleeing all of a sudden, if needed.
- While the bombings and killings of Ukrainian citizens is horrible, contrary to the popular opinion, I do not see NATO as "good" and Russia as "evil." A key part of it is simply that NATO and the EU both represent to me a serious attempt and motion toward "one world power," which, according to the Bible, God is against. He destroyed the Tower of Babel and confused everyone's languages once. In the future, Jesus will return again to both bring His followers back to heaven, an event that will also mean the destruction of the rest of the world. Bottom line, as far as I'm concerned, both NATO and Russia are sinners who fall far short of God's glory, just like the rest of us, and whom will be judged by the God of the Bible at the right time for their actions.
- All that said, I pray for both Ukraine and Russia. My prayers for Ukraine are obvious: for God to protect its people. My prayers for Russia may not be quite so obvious. For one thing, Russia has cracked down on its own citizens and businesses. Among other things, it has arrested anti-war protesters on the spot. But I doubt that that's getting reported in the same way that the carnage in Ukraine is.
- I also pray for all surrounding areas, Belarus, Poland, Romania... and I pray for here in the United States as well. Right now the war is "far away," but I cannot take for granted the possibility that that all could change. The truth is, this war could be over tomorrow. Or it could be another 4-5 years, with us in it. I don't know. There has been talk about the potential for World War III, and I believe it. But there is also talk, talk that is not out there unfortunately, about a God who is still on His throne and still in charge of this world, and who will intervene. It is not for me to say how; I don't know how. If I've learned anything the last two years, it's to learn to trust Him in even more ways that I had previously thought possible.
Today also marks two years to the day that COVID became real to me. Well, almost. Tomorrow marks the day. But yesterday, two years ago, nursing homes (where I had been playing piano as a contracted entertainer) began shutting down to outsiders. Today two years ago ended up being the last day I would ever set foot in person in any nursing home with the job I had at the time, and tomorrow -- tomorrow was that day. All professional sports shut down. Work became exclusively virtual for the first time ever. And no one knew how long this was going to go. Days stretched into weeks, stretching into months, stretching now to two years. Life became a constant adjustment, even as I began working at a nursing home (ironic, given my comments earlier this paragraph) in April. It is through this constant expectancy of change that has informed my perspective on this current war in eastern Europe. It could end tomorrow. Or in 5 years. But I expect that what will remain constant is change.
This post ended up not being as quick or brief as I planned. It was time to at least say something, though. I'm praying. Are you?