Voice of Ukraine

From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 408):

And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
Luke 1:50

Easter has always been a time of reflection for me. I even appreciate the difference in calendars (Ukraine follows the Eastern Orthodox calendar and will celebrate Easter on April 16) as it gives me a double opportunity to think through the meaning of this event for me.

Interestingly, this year Good Friday for Western Christians coincides with the Annunciation for Orthodox Christians, and the word “annunciation” is translated as “Good News” in Ukrainian. I was amazed today that these two significant events while taking place decades apart, conveyed similar messages that are still relevant today. For one, both Annunciation (when the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit to be called Jesus) and Good Friday are about radical obedience – obedience to God’s will despite the consequences it may bring to you personally. They both are about stepping into the unknown and trusting God to see you through. They both are about God’s unimaginable power and mercy.

I kept thinking about these two throughout the day today. I especially chose to focus on them when there were worrisome reports from the frontline from someone we know, when I was overwhelmed with uncertainty, or when the tasks ahead seemed too big to handle. I remembered that when Gabriel appeared to Mary, he didn’t list all the hardships and grief she would have to face in her life, but he said, “Do not be afraid for you have found favor with God” (Lk 1:30). Let us have the same heart when we go through our challenges, for it is our chance to testify of God’s strength in our weaknesses.
I believe that Ukraine has also found favor with God, so may we hold on to His promise as we walk through our Good Friday that’s lasted over 9 years and is still not over…