“But He (God) gives all the more grace; therefore it says, “God opposed the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God, and He (God) will draw near to you.”
(NRSV James 4:6-8)
My 23 and Me DNA profile is about 3.9 % undifferentiated Eastern European. This may not seem like much in a majority (94.9 %) Western European profile, but I have always considered my bullheadedness as part of this “Slavic tribe” characteristic. My mother could claim this attribute whenever she believed she was right about an issue. She descended from Prussians, and I suspect that is the branch of my tree harboring the Slavic genes. The Prussians had a renowned military history. Some as immigrants, even fought in the Civil War on the Northern Union side of the conflict. They loved a a good fight and were tenacious.
But my anguish at recent world events is greater that 3.9%. Since James wrote these verses, the world has truly become a global village. I may feel little impact personally, but I recognize the dangers nationally and internationally. I don’t claim to be an expert on foreign relations or religious implications. I wonder what one person living in the USA can do to act responsively in this situation. I have the luxury of being a pacifist and I think submitting to God takes the form of asking God viewed questions rather than Me viewed questions. What does God want me to do? What is God doing in the world right now? How can I be involved in ways that are pleasing to God? It’s all about God in the end anyway because nobody takes anything with them at the end of life. Wasn’t it C.S. Lewis who indicated that if the devil woke him up at night and stood by his bed, he would just laugh, roll over and go back to sleep? His view was that God is pre-eminent and the devil really has no power left on earth for Christian believers who trust in the Triune God. While that is true, no one is currently bombing my apartment complex.
I am reminded of the ethical dilemma of Dietrich Bonhoeffer at the end of WWII. What did resistance mean for him? He was a German Pastor and theologian, and anti-Nazi dissident who had potential access to German officials. What did God want him to do? Turn the other cheek or resist the devil in more concrete terms? We are also called to work for justice in our communities according to the prophets of the Old Testament. Still a young adult, Bonhoeffer was hanged at age 38 on April 9, 1945, in Flossenburg concentration camp in Germany, shortly before the Allies freed the camp. That was the ultimate cost of discipleship for his attempt to overthrow the evil he saw in the Nazi empire. As a practicing Christian, I do trust that God gave him a measure of grace in a new life in God’s Kingdom
I am also a Baby Boomer who watched the Vietnam War play out on TV at dinner time. Now we have breaking news on our cell phones for each moment of this incursion. This is not progress! While the Biblical witness is one of God in control and the “end time” expectations are depicted as horrific, I still struggle with what I can do right now to be faithful to God. Perhaps God is revealing to the world what evil truly looks like. Because it is healthier to take positive action, here are some things I believe I can do to be involved in justice for this current world crisis:
- Refuse to buy or use anything made in Russia. This is not hard since I don’t drink alcohol and don’t own any Vodka. I also drive a hybrid Prius-C so I do not use much gas.
2. Check investments and disinvest in anything that would profit Russia.
3. Hold the Ukrainian people and leaders in prayer for compassion, protection, strength and endurance to resist.
4. Support leadership in this country and others that impose sanctions on Russia and Russian leadership. The message that their actions are not acceptable in our world is important to convey to the entire world.
5. Engage in civil discourse with those who oppose sanctions and deny the incursion as important.
6. Support principles of representative democracy when they are challenged.
Accept the responsibilities of citizenship as well as the freedoms.
7. Humbly continue to trust in God as we struggle with the realities of evil in the world
and how to respond in ways that “let justice roll down like water”.
For your consideration:
1. Which of the choices above are you willing to do?
2. Pick up a copy of “The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and read it.
3. Next get a copy of Bonheffer’s “Letters From Prison.” And read it as well.
4. March 2nd is Ash Wednesday and Pope Francis has called for fasting and prayer for the Ukranian people, so fast and pray this WEDS. (and even before and after!)
Jackie, I’m a big believer in justice.
I’ve been concerned about what is happening in Ukraine too.
Thanks for your message and challenge to consider what to do.
I think I have a copy if the Cost of Discipleship. I’ll reread and continue praying for peace.