Far be it for me to say or write anything that would glorify war. I’m not a pacifist, but probably an “almost one.”
I regularly read the newspaper and listen to the news find out what is going on in Ukraine. The war there has the attention of the world. Most everyone thought it would not last this long.
We may have been angry when Russian President Vladimir opened his nation’s military might against what was thought to be a “helpless” nation with midget military power. Our “anger” was mitigated by our thought that it would not be a full-scale war.
Certainly, Putin felt that Ukraine would fold, if not in a week or two, certainly within a couple of months. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky would either flee or be killed. The comedian turned political leader has surprised the world.
Russia launched large scale invasion February 24th, and the war continues. No doubt, Putin still reels in surprise and the world is amazed Zelensky is still leading a functional government and is becoming one of the most famous figures in the Western world. When I think of the war in Ukraine, with deep admiration and appreciation, I think of President Zelensky. He is a good demonstration of a definition of perseverance: FALL SEVEN TIMES AND STAND UP EIGHT.
The Bible offers numerous references to the centrality of the centrality of perseverance, a discipline which most of us are short on. Here is one of the most challenging ones:
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life and let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:7—10)
The Interpreter’s Bible refers to this section of Scripture as Paul’s call for Christians to engage in “the agriculture of the Spirit.” That is a colorful and suggestive thought. The law of the harvest is relevant to our spiritual development and describes our destiny. G. Lee was a pastor for many years in my city, Memphis. He had a famous sermon he preached hundreds of times, all over America, “Payday Someday.” The title alone is gripping and captures the truth. God has established a law of identical harvest: Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap (Vs. 7).
Thank you, President Zelensky; your passionate persistence and perseverance, is a clear demonstration of the fact that to Live is to choose. Life involves constant choice and constant conflict, conflict between the different facets of our nature that struggle for dominance, conflict between the causes that vie for our allegiance. Perseverance, fall seven time and stand up eight, is essential. Through the continuous making of resolute decisions, we pattern our life, and we mold our character.