Where do you find solace? As Christians, sometimes we forget that it is okay to acknowledge that life is difficult. To many, it feels like Christians should never be affected by life's troubles. We don’t like to talk about our moments of confusion or pain. When we struggle or fall into doubt, we subconsciously feel like we’ve failed our faith. We don't want to admit to being "the one" whose life is disorderly or in crisis. Because of this, our first response is to pretend in front of others, or worse, to deceive ourselves.
I want to encourage you. We all have questions, struggles, and doubts. Not only that, you are in good company. Even the mightiest of Bible prophets had times of fear and doubt. The problem is not doubting. It’s our reluctance to be truthful with ourselves and take those questions to God. Nowhere in the Bible has God promised us a life of ease. But, He is waiting to love us through every single moment of pain and questioning without condemnation.
As Jesus said in the book of Matthew, Chapter 11 verses 28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
This passage means that Jesus already understands that in life we will have burdens. He knows that there are situations that will grieve us and make us soul weary. He implores us to lean on Him because He promises that His burden is light. He is offering to carry the hard things for us if we let Him.
If anyone has a right to be emotionally overwhelmed by questions and doubts, it would be people in Ukraine. Can you imagine living through a terrifying war for six months? I know that Ukrainians are constantly dealing with a level of trauma and loss that we can barely imagine. Yet I know God is still fully able to bring a supernatural rest to their weary, burdened souls.
We have focused a lot of attention this year on meeting humanitarian needs. Life-saving food, water, and medical supplies were desperately needed. With God's provision, grace, and guidance, we have provided many people with safety and physical rest. Yet I am also reassured knowing that our partners have spent as much time sharing the truth of Matthew 11 as they have feeding and sheltering people.
Here in Canada, we are anxiously trying to put our lives back into some semblance of normality post-pandemic. I don't know what that might look like for you and your family, but one of the “normal” activities for children and parents in September is the start of the school year. Even if you don’t have kids or grandkids, you probably want children to be able to go back to regular activities. In fact, everyone wants to have a stable, predictable life.
Yet that must feel impossible for Ukrainian kids and families. Their entire lives must feel strange and in limbo. Some kids are in temporary housing in foreign, distant locations. Others remain in very dangerous communities. They are all facing a school year that seems impossible. How do kids focus on learning when at any moment the air raid sirens could go off?
While we cannot eliminate the uncertainty or danger for Ukrainian kids, we can ease their burden. God will, by His Spirit, give rest and peace to all who ask. But He also uses His people to actively demonstrate His love and care in tangible ways. These efforts are evidence of God’s goodness.
We know that many Ukrainian kids have lost everything. We want to restore some dignity and joy to them this fall as we provide things like vital hygiene items, healthy food, or even sports equipment. Will you help me bring rest and peace to kids and families? Will you help me demonstrate that our God is big enough to carry them through the most traumatic time of their lives?
Do you want to say yes to sharing God's love and goodness with Ukrainian families this fall? Do you want to be the one to restore dignity and joy to a child in Ukraine? Just click on the link below.
To read stories about some of the incredible things God has been doing through MPI recently, just click on the link below.
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