The Russians

My blog statistics revealed that my last story entitled Ukraine was hit by several Russians. I have a regular Russian audience throughout the year. I think it is only fair for me to share some more of my thoughts on the current crisis in the Ukraine and Russia. Only this time with some additional emphasis on the Russian side of things. I have visited Russia in the recent past. I have a great love for many things Russian.

When I was a child, I developed a fascination for many things Russian. This included their history, classic literature, classical music and the ballet. I don’t think my interest was an accident and I believe that God has used my interests to plant the gospel seed with various Russians that I have met throughout the years. Just how does the Russian psyche approach the latest news that their country has begun a war with their neighbor the Ukraine? Well, first off many of them were in shock. It is not like they have any say in the matter. Or, that the topic was publicly debated, before their democratically elected officials decided whether or not their constituency would be in favor of it or not.

This was decided without the consent of the people of the state of Russia. So, with this fait accompli before them they could make either one of two decisions. Number one, they could whole-heartedly support Vladimir Putin’s decision to send troops to the Ukraine. Many Russians consider this a patriotic gesture i.e.,to always stand with their country during any time of war or criticism. Their point of view is to believe everything that the Putin administration has said, such as the country of Russia is threatened by the much smaller and not well-equipped Ukraine. They believe the narrative that they are saving Russian lives and de-nazifying that country.

Some Russians could think of nothing else but to support anything that their President does whether they like it or not. They have been conditioned by many years of brutal dictatorships to do so. Those citizens of Russia would choose to support this military action as a survival gesture. They might feel that anything less could harm them in some way, socially, career-wise or worse yet they could be jailed. They may not be in favor of it but, would try to suffer through this decision that their government has made without their consent and try to make nice with it all.

There are many Russians who believe as I think Putin does, that Ukraine should be a part of greater Russia because of various historical aspects, including shared origins, religious and familial ties especially in eastern Ukraine and the Crimea. There are immense economic interconnections  too. There are more than a few financial implications involved. These are the people who are all over social media shouting their support for this event. They may be wearing clothes sporting the Z letter on a shirt or jacket to express  their support of Putin’s War. Z being the letter that is placed on military targets so as to have a bullseye to hit them with. 

Then, there is option number two, which is to disagree with the military action in the Ukraine. There are those who do not agree with this incursion into the Ukraine. Some of those people, numbering in the tens of thousands at least, took to the streets in various cities in a dramatic demonstration of their disagreement to go to war with Ukraine. Some bravely took to social media to post such messages. Then, there were hacktivists who were able to take over various websites and television networks briefly to bring messages to challenge the state narrative. Russians on both sides are passionate on this topic. 

What of Russian religious leaders. The Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill has taken a definitive stand to side with President Vladimir Putin and place his blessing on the action. This has created some backlash around the world. Some churches affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church have asked to be excused from their association while expressing their disapproval of this military operation.

We are now up to 3 million refugees and counting. Whatever the historical association may be between Russia and the Ukraine does not justify the terrible destruction and killings that have taken place in the Ukraine. The trauma and results of this conflict will be with us for a long time. What of the costs to rebuild everything? How can so much damage be done in a time of such supply chain and epidemic problems in the world. Why now? Why add to all the problems in the world at this terrible moment. 

This is a time when all of us, Russian or Ukrainian, need more of Jesus. We have all had so much trauma what with the illnesses, political, and economic chaos. The mental health struggles in the world are enormous right now. The holy presence of Jesus in our lives is what we need as we face life, death, illness and political turmoil. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. The life that we need now more than ever. 

If you want the clarity of knowing that you have a savior in this big old insane world, you need to accept that miraculous gift that he came to give you. In his short earthly life he fulfilled all the scripture prophecy passages that refer to a future messiah, the savior of the world. Accept that you are a sinner. It is easy to say that the Russians sinned if you are Ukrainian. It is easy to say the Ukrainians have sinned if you are Russian. The truth is both sides have sinned against God and one another. We all need to say a big sorry to Jesus and ask for the provision of his atoning death to cover our lives. 

Knowing Jesus allows you to see your human story quite differently than what the current narrative of the world would suggest. It allows you to have compassion for the people that you want to fight. Seek solutions for Jesus’ sake. 

The western world has mostly sided against Russia in this conflict. I am not certain that the average Russian person knows how many cultural and financial consequences there will be for continuing this military action in the Ukraine but, the economic sanctions will eventually be felt by all. 

I am praying that the Russian people take this matter into their own hands and solve it with love and compassion for the Ukrainian people, with an understanding of the consequences of their actions in the world market, but most importantly, in reverence for the Lord as we approach Easter. 

I am also praying that if an agreement can be reached in time for Easter that we can mend and move on in a godly way toward forgiveness. It will be impossible without the Lord. God bless  Russia and the Ukraine. Lord, for the healing of the nations I pray, in Jesus’ name, amen.