From: Ira Kapitonova (Day 852)
But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever;
you are remembered throughout all generations.
Psalm 102:12
We had a rather extended blackout today. It was expected, and we had things to do outdoors, but it reminded me of our winter 2022-2023. When you are in a city, there are many places with generators. Many stores, restaurants, or coffee stands would be operating as usual. You see people moving around as usual, so blackouts are inconvenient but not disastrous. In a village, you are more autonomous yet more isolated at the same time. You can get water from a well, boil it on a gas or even wood stove, but the main challenge is that in villages, you’d often lose cell phone service during extended blackouts. And without internet or cell phone service, it’s so easy to slip into panic and anxiety. I remember turning on a radio (the only connection to the world still working) to check if Ukraine was still standing, even though there were no reasons to doubt it.
As I was remembering it today, I thought of an Old Testament story when Moses went up to Mount Sinai to receive instructions from the Lord. While he was gone, the people of Israel started doubting everything they had known or experienced and made a golden calf to worship instead of the Lord. Whenever I heard this story, I was appalled by those people’s short memory, yet we are not that different.
The panic breakouts during blackouts remind me that we need to rely not on the things we see but on the things we know to be true. That’s what gives me hope today.
Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation
Exodus 19:5-6
Voice of Ukraine 