Ukraine is Making Us Better People
Reclaiming a spirit of resilience in Psalm 11.
A World Under Threat
Psalm 11 begins with threat from a neighboring country. “Flee like a bird to the mountains!” they say. “The bottom’s dropped out; you don’t have a chance!” These are the voices of those who have positioned themselves as enemies. Their bows are drawn.
When the Bows are Drawn
This kind of threat was nothing new for people of faith in the Old Testament and it is nothing new for many today. As Russia invades a neighboring Ukraine, as one political group demonizes another, as we may pass judgement on others without taking responsibility for ourselves, the bows of threat are drawn. “Go away! Get out! You don’t belong!”
An Alternative Way of Being
The poet in Psalm 11 will not give into such, nor does it appear will the spirit of the people of Ukraine. Indeed, they have been there before and find themselves on solid ground. Trust is the bedrock on which they travel. It is a deep-lodged trust in an alternative way of being.
Solid Ground
“Foundations,” says the poet in Psalm 11. The Hebrew word for foundations, הַ֭שָּׁתֹות (ha-sha-to-vt) conveys the sense of sound footing that emerges from a life of shalom (wellbeing in community). It is alternative to war-mongering, rioting, and looking upon another human being as of no worth. It is care of neighbor (liberal or conservative). It is care of creation.
Finding Refuge Elsewhere
Foundations are what support and unite when lesser things fail. As for the Psalmist and his community, they are stalwart in the face of threat because they find their refuge elsewhere in life and in death. It is perhaps the same spirit of resolve that has emerged among the people of Ukraine and in many of us who are in awe of such resilience. Faith, hope and love are like that.
