“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

—Galatians 6:2

After hearing how Trump and Vance treated Zelinsky on Friday, I have been horrified, embarrassed, mortified, and depressed. No president ever in the history of the United States has decided to turn against democracy to buddy up with our greatest enemy. Seeing what went on was like witnessing a bully who wants your lunch money in exchange for making the other bullies leave you alone, except this was on an international scale. I could use a prison analogy too, but this is a Sunday post, and I don’t want to be crude. I knew they were hateful people, but what they did Friday was disgraceful. I do not see how anyone who supports this president can call themselves a Christian. It goes against every Christian principle in the Bible.

Living in a country that often prioritizes self-interest, God calls us to live differently. He commands us to love, serve, and give generously, rejecting greed and selfishness. One of the clearest ways we can live out our faith is by helping those in need—especially those suffering from war, displacement, and hardship. The people of Ukraine, enduring the devastation of conflict, offer us a powerful opportunity to put our faith into action. Scripture repeatedly teaches that our lives should not be driven by greed but by a heart of generosity. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If we focus only on accumulating wealth and possessions, we risk missing out on God’s eternal purposes. Instead, He calls us to invest in things that last—acts of love, justice, and mercy. One of the greatest ways to do this is by helping those who are suffering.

Jesus also made it very clear that loving others is central to our faith. In Mark 12:31, Jesus commanded us to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The people of Ukraine have faced unimaginable hardship—families torn apart, homes destroyed, and lives upended by war. Many have fled to other countries as refugees, while others remain in dangerous conditions. As followers of Christ, we are called to respond with love. One of the most well-known parables in the Bible, the “Parable of the Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25-37), illustrates this perfectly. A man was left beaten and helpless on the side of the road. Two religious leaders passed by without helping, but a Samaritan—a person from a group often despised by Jews—stopped, cared for the wounded man, and provided for his needs. Jesus tells us to “go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37). Are we willing to be like the Good Samaritan? Will we stop, see the pain of the Ukrainian people, and respond with action? I know that I am likely preaching to the choir, but if there are those who are Trump supporters that read this blog, I hope you will take this to heart. We may not be able to do much until the midterm elections, but we can resist as much as possible.

One of the biggest barriers to helping others is greed—clinging to what we have out of fear or selfishness. This is seen all to clearly in the executive branch of the United States federal government. But the Bible warns against this mindset in Proverbs 21:13, “Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.” Instead of hoarding wealth, God calls us to be generous. In 1 Timothy 6:17-18, Paul reminds us, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” We may not all consider ourselves rich, but compared to those who have lost everything, we have much to give. Whether through financial support, prayer, advocacy, or welcoming refugees, we can use what God has given us to bless others. James 5:6 tells us that we should, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” We should pray for peace, for those affected by war, and for leaders to seek justice and wisdom. Proverbs 19-17 tells us, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” We can support humanitarian organizations providing food, medical aid, and shelter. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. If you live in a community with Ukrainian refugees, offer friendship, support, or resources. Finally, Isaiah 1:17 tells us to “Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” We must speak out against injustice and support policies that help those affected by war

In James 2:15-17, James reminds us that faith without works is dead, “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Let us not be passive in the face of suffering. Instead, let’s be the hands and feet of Jesus, showing love to those in desperate need. By helping the Ukrainian people—or anyone in crisis—we reflect God’s love and live out the Gospel. May we answer God’s call with open hearts, rejecting greed and embracing a life of generosity.

How is God calling you to help today?

*The Photograph Above

The photographer Liam Campbell is the editor of Elska Magazine, a project centered on traveling around the world, meeting a selection of everyday local guys, and introducing their city and their lives to readers through honest photography and personal stories. The ‘Elska Lviv’ issue of Elska Magazine was dedicated to the men of Ukraine. The model above was named Marko, and Campbell had this to say about him:

Marko was one of the men we photographed toward the beginning of the war. While editing, I became a bit uneasy about the impression we would leave. Would people see Marko standing amongst the detritus of destroyed buildings and feel like we were somehow glamorizing the war? Perhaps some would, but the reality is that we shot these scenes on the site of a former Soviet industrial complex.

In this context, there was a clear message that the Soviet Union was well and truly over. There Marko was walking proudly over the rubble, asserting a new Ukrainian future. This is a message I absolutely had to share, but at the same time, I can’t help but feel immense sadness when I imagine how much of Ukraine now lies in ruins, at the hands of a campaign to bring back Soviet-style ‘glory’ and [Russian] supremacy.

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

—Joshua 24:15

More than half of American voters have chosen to serve the “gods” on the “other side of the River.” They have chosen evil, hatred, and subjugation over goodness, love, and freedom. They have chosen poorly, but “for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” and I hope you will too. Hopefully, time will fly over the next four years, and we will be rid of the orange Mussolini forever. His legacy will likely continue long after he is gone, and things will inevitably get worse before they get better, but we can still believe and fight for democracy.

No country has allowed fascism to be the law of the land forever. It will fail. People will get tired of it when the fascists come for them. Hopefully, the end will come sooner than later. We must believe in God’s plan. My friend Susan said to me on Wednesday after the election, “Before the election, I asked God to please not let this happen. But I also contemplated the fact that if it did, and if it was God’s plan, it may be because things need to get so much worse before the people in this country can find their way out.” I just hope that those of us who sounded the warning call will not suffer too much.

In Joshua 24:15, Joshua, the leader of Israel, challenges the people to choose whom they will serve. In this verse, Joshua is addressing the Israelites as they settle in the Promised Land. The essence of the message is a call to commitment and loyalty. Joshua presents a choice: either continue following the one true God who led them out of Egypt, or turn to other gods and idols, like the ones worshiped by surrounding nations. He makes it clear, however, that his own decision is to serve the Lord.

Joshua asks the people to make a deliberate decision about their faith and values. Rather than following out of tradition or obligation, he urges them to consider carefully and personally whom they are deeply committed to serving. The Bible often addresses the challenge of choice—the decision-making that involves choosing between obedience to God and alternative paths that might seem appealing or easier. Throughout scripture, there is a strong theme of free will and moral responsibility, where individuals and communities are called to make deliberate, faithful choices.

In Deuteronomy 30:19-20, God, through Moses, tells the Israelites, “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” This passage underscores the choice between life (obedience to God) and death (turning away from Him). God urges them to “choose life” as the path of blessing and flourishing. On Tuesday, many Americans, even though they would disagree with me, turned away from God. They chose to follow their own prejudices and vote for a man who professes their hate loudly an unashamedly.

God gives us the freedom to choose right or wrong. In Genesis 2:16-17, while I n the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam and Eve a choice regarding the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This choice tested their obedience and trust in God’s commands. Their decision to eat the forbidden fruit reflects humanity’s capacity for moral choice, with consequences. Paul writes in Romans 6:16, “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey?” This passage emphasizes the importance of whom we choose to obey, be it sin leading to death or obedience leading to righteousness. Again, many chose to obey sin, greed, and hate over obedience to God. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus teaches about the “narrow gate” that leads to life and the “broad road” that leads to destruction. He emphasizes that choosing the path of righteousness is often more challenging but ultimately leads to eternal life.

Paul assures believers in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that God will provide a way out of every temptation, but they must choose to take it. This highlights that while God is present to help, the responsibility of choice remains with us. In Galatians 6:7-8, Paul warns, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” This principle of sowing and reaping reflects the importance of making wise, faithful choices, as they bear consequences for ourselves and others. Those who voted for Trump on Tuesday made a poor choice that not only will they have to face the consequences of, but we will suffer the same consequences because they were deceived by an egomaniac who strives on the people who worship him. He is not their savior as they claim. He will be their destruction. Jesus says in Matthew 16:24, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Following Jesus requires a decision to prioritize Him above all else, even when it involves sacrifice.

The Bible’s teachings on choice show that we are empowered to choose our path—God does not force obedience but calls us to a relationship that requires our willing commitment. In the face of competing influences, believers are encouraged to pursue lives of faithfulness, love, and trust in God, understanding that our choices are not just for ourselves but impact others and our relationship with God. The consistent biblical invitation is to choose wisely, aligning one’s heart and actions with God’s will.

Joshua’s statement in Joshua 24:15 emphasizes personal and family commitment. By saying, “as for me and my household,” he demonstrates leadership and integrity, showing that his decision is not dependent on what others choose. The Bible places a high value on commitment and integrity, highlighting these qualities as foundational to a faithful life. Commitment is often seen as unwavering loyalty and dedication to God, while integrity represents honesty, moral consistency, and alignment between belief and behavior. Together, these qualities are essential for living a life that reflects God’s character and commands.

In Matthew 5:37, Jesus says, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” This teaching emphasizes that people should honor their word, highlighting that commitment in relationships and actions should be truthful and dependable. Proverbs 10:9 says, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” This verse underscores the security and trust that comes from a life of integrity, contrasting it with the instability of dishonesty. Many people may be tempted to lose their faith in God or fight fire with fire and insult with insult, but 1 Peter 3:16 encourages believers to “keep a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” Maintaining integrity allows Christians to witness to their faith, even when facing criticism or opposition. We must remember this as we deal with those who pervert the words of the Bible to back up their hateful and sinful ways. We cannot stoop to their level. When we look at Donald Trump and his followers, we should remember Proverbs 12:22: “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” God values honesty and trustworthiness, demonstrating that integrity is integral to our character and relationships.

The coming years may be difficult for us to endure, but we must keep our faith despite the challenges. Paul writes in Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful,” to encourage believers to remain committed to their faith, trusting that God’s promises are steadfast even in difficult times. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life.” James shows that commitment and integrity through trials bring rewards, as God honors steadfast faith.

The Bible shows that commitment and integrity are qualities that lead to a life of trust, security, and alignment with God’s will. Commitment involves a deep, unwavering dedication to God, others, and truth, while integrity calls for consistent moral character and honesty. Both are essential for a meaningful relationship with God and an effective witness to others. The Bible teaches that God blesses those who live with integrity and honors their commitments, providing strength and guidance even in the face of challenges. Joshua 24:15 is a powerful statement of family faith. Joshua’s words encourage families, whether biological or chosen, and individuals to make their commitment to God central, regardless of cultural or societal pressures. Joshua issues a call to faithful devotion. It reminds believers that faith is a conscious, personal choice—one that involves commitment and has implications for future generations.

As we navigate the river of life, there will be rocky shoals and rapids that will test you, but there will also be smooth waters that will allow you to glide through effortlessly. The smooth waters seem to be quickly becoming rapids that will be harder and harder to navigate. If we work together and keep our faith, we will get through any rocky shoals we come across. Which side of the river will you end up on? I hope you will join me on the on the river that serves the Lord and works everyday to make the world a better place.