Photo by Max Kukurudziak on Unsplash
Much of the world is reeling right now, witnessing the horrific events taking place in Ukraine.
We heard talk for weeks of how Russia was planning to invade Ukraine and how they might create false pretenses under which to start a war. As if Ukraine would be foolish enough to provoke Russia into a fight.
The most puzzling aspect of all this mess is…why? What exactly is Russia’s motivation for invading Ukraine?
Typically, wars start for a couple different reasons. Wars might be fought over territory that poses an economic value to both sides. Wars might be fought over religious ideals or even ethnic disputes, which might be the most sanitized way possible of expressing that concept. We like to think that we are long past the days of wars being fought over nothing more than the glory of heads of state, but I imagine we have all disillusioned ourselves of such a notion in recent weeks.
We can propose theories as to why Putin demanded this war happen, but I believe that nobody outside of that tiny space between his ears really knows why these events are occurring. Shoot, he might not fully know, either.
While I can’t fully speak to Putin’s reasons for going to war, I can say one thing with definite authority about our response: It can’t be about politics.
It is true that the Russian government is responsible for waging war on Ukraine. It is true that the Ukrainian government is responsible for defending their country and organizing an armed response to this calloused invasion. It is true that the American government, and other such political bodies around the world, are responsible for responding to Russia’s assault on Ukrainian sovereignty.
But we have to get away from the idea that anything governmental is necessarily political.
Some things are just moral. Some things are just right or wrong.
A senator caught having an affair is a political crisis. Tanking approval ratings in light of economic turmoil is a political crisis. Wearing a light-colored suit, apparently, is a political crisis.
When a global superpower invades an innocent neighbor on false pretenses in order to satisfy a dictator’s personal bloodlust and desire for supremacy, that is a humanitarian crisis. That is a global moral failure.
“Hmm. I like his tax policies, but I’m not crazy about the way he spoke out against a crazed, maniacal dictator. Decisions, decisions.” (Photo by Janine Robinson on Unsplash)
As our political leaders consider the best course of action, they must do so while ignoring how the voters might react or how the donors are going to clutch or release the purse strings.
I am not foolish enough to think that there are no legitimate reasons to avoid full-blown military intervention. Putin has made enough unhinged threats to make wise individuals question appropriate courses of action. Then again, so far it seems that the only thing we can count on right now is for Putin to do the exact opposite of what he says he will do.
Now far be it from me to capitalize on a global humanitarian crisis to prove a point, but it is vital that we grasp this concept. Our culture has become so quick to politicize every issue that it is almost forbidden to discuss certain topics. How often do we see churches try to address what they see as moral topics just for the masses to decry it as “political speech?”
It doesn’t help, of course, that far too many churches and religious figures are more than happy to jump into the political arena to garner public attention, but simply addressing what the Gospel says about culture and moral best practices, even when those issues themselves have been politicized, is not political speech.
I am not lamenting “cancel culture” or bashing the establishment. I simply want us to consider the difference between politics and reality. Far too many people are trying to turn Ukraine’s national tragedy into political theater, much the way we have done with the greatest challenges of our recent era, and it has to stop.
People in this world are hurting. Dying. What are we doing to alleviate their problems? If we are engaging in grand political discussions and waving our banner of choice, then we are failing them and we are implicit in whatever crimes Putin will ultimately bring down upon the people of Ukraine. If we are more concerned with votes and public appeal than with human well-being, then the blood is on our hands.
And not just this week or this month. As long as we continue to believe that the shield of political reluctance absolves us from action, or denigrates those who do act, then we are fomenting a culture of ambivalence towards violence and wickedness.
“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what He requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.”
Even more so for those of us who are believers. We are called to speak out against injustice and against evil. And we are called to do so with the loving attitude of Christ.
I know it sounds like a lot. It sounds difficult, if not impossible. To tell the truth, it is impossible. But that’s what makes it so important that we live in the power of Christ through the Holy Spirit. Only then can we act in the way that we are called to.
It also helps to remember that if we are just the ones speaking out about the evils of the world, we are probably having an easier go of it than the folks who are actually living through them.
So that’s something to keep in mind.