Voice of Ukraine

From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 403):

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
Psalm 103:17-18

I read an interesting thought today that stuck with me. Someone said that sometimes it feels like there are misunderstandings between Ukrainians and people in the West because we have different presuppositions. They said that the West views the current situation in Ukraine as the past that needs to be fixed (return to the good old days, wait until we can go back to “business as usual”) while Ukrainians view this current situation as the future that must be improved. Indeed, the history of relationships between Ukraine and Russia (whether it was the Russian Empire, a republic of the USSR, or the Russian Federation) is a history of abuse and oppression. I don’t think there is a “glorious past” phase in this relationship that we could long for. However, now is the time Ukraine has had enough strength and resolve to stand up to this abuser, and this is the first time we have international support of this scale. Indeed, now is the time of great hope for freedom, justice, and a great hope for our future that is still in the making.

Another interesting idea the same person voiced was that all Abrahamic religions consider the future as the source of hope. It got me thinking. Yes, there is an idea of the perfect days at the beginning of creation before the fall, but this is not the past we can return to, and we should not dwell in the past. We should focus on the present and work toward the promised future. The Promised Land for the Israelites in the days of Moses was their promised destination, even though it took them 40 years to get there. Then, God’s promise that His faithful remnant will return from exile. And the overarching promise of the Messiah. For us, modern-day Christians, there is a promise of the days when our Lord and Savior will come in His glory to establish ultimate justice and wipe every tear. We have a lot to look forward to in the future.

At the same time, there was a period when the people of Israel dwelled in their past. After they returned from exile, when the city lay in ruins when they managed to lay the foundation for the new temple, people were weeping for they knew that this temple wouldn’t be as glorious as the previous one (Ezra 3:12). They were so focused on their past that they missed the beautiful new promise God gave them – “The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.” (Haggai 2:9)

So let’s not dwell on our past (whether it was glorious or tragic). Instead, let us seek the Lord, seek the future He wants to give us, and focus on what we are called to do today for this promised future.