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Waiting for Peace

Reflections from inside a country at war

As a church family, we will focus on “Waiting for Peace” this weekend (November 30/December 1). Knowing that has made my heart weep for Ukraine many times today.  May I tell you why?

As I write today, November 19 is a milestone for Ukrainians — 1000 days since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.  It’s significant for Ukrainians around the world – millions in war-torn Ukraine prepare for the cold winter ahead – thousands have fled Ukraine to find safety in other countries, cut off from family and friends – some live among us here in Calgary, some attend FAC!

I have a special relationship with Ukraine because in 1996, I did research for my PhD in Donetsk, Ukraine (now under Russian occupation). Ukrainians opened their homes to me and shared everything they had with me as they welcomed me into their hearts.  Eighteen years later, in April 2014, Russia occupied Crimea and the area surrounding my University.  On February 24, 2022, Russia declared full-scale war on Ukraine. Today marks 1000 days since that sad day! 

For 1000 days a friend, Ira, who lives in Kiev, Ukraine, has written a blog, which for 1000 days, with her permission, I have posted to my Facebook page. Ira became a follower of Jesus when she was an exchange student in the USA and was billeted with a family that attended an Alliance Church in a town in Minnesota where she lived.  

When I learned about the “Waiting for Peace” focus for this weekend at FAC, I wrote to Ira and asked her what it means for her to be “waiting for peace” when her country is at war.  I expected to hear back from her that “waiting” implies many physical aspects of waiting for the Prince of Peace to intervene in the war that surrounds her all day/every day! 

I thought she might talk about having a mattress in the hallway outside her apartment door (seeking the protection of double walls from missiles), to which she runs to with her husband and 10-year-old son when the air raid siren sounds during the night. Would she speak of the repeated, rolling blackouts – having no electricity, no water, and no heat as the cold of winter arrives? That means shortages of everything – food, school supplies, building materials…would she mention taking school children into the subway when the air raid siren blasts during the school day?

I thought she might speak of trying to explain this war to her young son as she tucks him in for the night.  Those aspects of waiting are very real – part of everyday life because her country is at war; she writes about them in her daily blogs.

But that was not the response I got from Ira this afternoon!  Ira personally knows Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and believes that while she waits for peace in Ukraine, she has an assignment from Him. For Ira, waiting is not passive. In Ukraine, wherever you look, everyone is doing something to bring about victory and a just peace at home.

Even kids have tasks (some of them make nets) which help the defenders (soldiers) on the front lines.  Working adults donate selflessly to the army’s needs.  Volunteers care for displaced people.  Even grandmas make canned goods to send to the soldiers on the front line.  It seems that every member of Ukrainian society is actively involved in bringing peace back to Ukraine.

Today’s question to Ira prompted her to ask the questions I am asking myself now:

• Do I wait for the return of the Prince of Peace, Jesus, with as much zeal and eagerness as I wait for the end of this terrible war? 
• What am I doing every day that will bring the Kingdom of Jesus here on earth more quickly? 

Waiting for the Prince of Peace is not a passive pastime! Ukrainians expect that every person in society has something they must contribute to the war effort. It seems that every Ukrainian wants to know how they can contribute to bringing peace home.  For them, waiting is not passive – everyone is doing something to bring victory closer and sooner.  All day, today, on the 1000th day of Russia’s full-scale war with Ukraine, I’ve been asking myself what is my assignment that will hasten the return of the Prince of Peace – who will bring with Him true peace. 

I wonder if every believer in Jesus longs for Jesus’ return with as much zeal and eagerness as Ukrainians anticipate the return of peace in their country.  I wonder if every believer in Jesus will have courage to ask themselves today, “While I wait, what is my assignment as a follower of Jesus, a role by which I can contribute to more quickly bring back the Prince of Peace?”.

Special thanks to Miriam Charter for this reflection. If you would like to read Ira’s daily posts from Ukraine, connect with Miriam!