Deuteronomy 31:6 paints a portrait of
courage to inspire Christians in the face of evil: “Be strong and
courageous. Do not be afraid or
terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never
leave you nor forsake you.”
Although modern Christians are not living through the same trials and tribulations as the Jewish people in the book of Deuteronomy, these words serve as a goal to which all of us can strive.
In a similar way, the “portrait” that has grown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been inspiring because of the ideals this portrait depicts.
The Russia-Ukrainian conflict has been described as the “'first war fought on TikTok” as President Zelensky, along with the Ukrainian people, has spread real-time information about the conflict to people across the globe.
Zelensky’s image of courage has almost single-handedly shifted western expectations of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. As one article reported:
“The
Ukrainian leader’s defiance has inspired and shamed the United States and the
European Union into going far further – and far faster – in turning Russia into
a pariah state than it appeared they were ready to go.
This is not the time for hesitation. Now is not the time for cowardice. Now is the time for decisive action against a tyrannical leader who wants to expand his despotic regime.
The example of courage set by the leadership of Zelensky ought to inspire westerners and spur them to action.
George Washington can be genuinely described as a modern-day Cincinnatus (the Roman statesman who willingly resigned from his power over Rome and returned to his farm). Nonetheless, the real-life George Washington did not sheepishly admit to his father that he had chopped down a cherry tree, but this apocryphal tale nonetheless serves as an example of honesty for American schoolchildren.
The epic tale of Ukrainian heroism ought to be an inspiration for all of us to stand up to Vladimir Putin. As Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Christianity is not a religion of pacifism. The Church Fathers were proponents of Just War Theory because they understood that to stand silent in the face of evil is to become complicit in its action.
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