Daily, I feel like I am watching a slow-motion rape of an independent nation by another —  even as news reports the fierce Ukrainian  resistance  and all nations in the world save four condemned the brutal assault.  

For all the Bible I say I know,  why do I keep thinking these events Ukraine  are not supposed to be happening? Especially after living through the last two years when trouble was a byword!

A Couple of Reasons

First, I am still a child of  the Boomer generation who thinks humans are always  on an upward trajectory to better times.

Second, what I know of the world is . . .  shallow.

These past two years of upheaval have shown me how little I really do know of history and human nature. * 

Or bullies. (On the Enduring Power of the Malevolent)

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Third, Russia hasn’t done to me and mine what they have to other Ukrainians, yet. 

But remember Syria? (Seeing Myself in Another’s Suffering) 

 This Time is it a Wake-UP?

When COVID started, I heard Dr. Tony Evans describe the crisis as God putting the church in time out — to think about spiritual realities. (Calm and Crazy) 

He said, 

Worry is when the situation is controlling me, dictating my well-being.
Don’t permit legitimate concern to become illegitimate worry.
Look for spiritual truth in the midst trials: physical, and medical.
Crises can create caring!  

Yes, but . . . 

As the world turns — this miraculous blue marble on which we live is a wobbly, scary place!  (Putin, The West and The Myth of Progress) 

Face it, I had more options for my safety with COVID than I do with what is unfolding everyday in Ukraine!  

So, I went back to  the book Habakkuk; it so worth reading, and  the prophet takes me back to Dr. Evans’ final point:

Crises can create caring.

Right NOW — 

What can I do — give — give up — so others can help? How much?  How am I praying? 

 

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Reading this Psalm Aloud Helps

Lent is a good season to consider what I will take on, and as well as let go. How grateful I am for  the goads Lenten devotionals are. Like this one: 

Let the shadow of the cross be [my]teacher. (Journey to the Cross, Paul David Tripp, page 20)      

That shadow sheds a whole lot of light  — on  dark places and times I thought could never come again, in Ukraine of Europe or here. (John 16:33)

rape

 

You might like:
*Garening and Reading

**My Martha Mode Needs a Mary Adjustment  

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