Recently, the evil of war has become more personal as I’ve heard the stories of people I know. This week, a Ukrainian volunteer we work with lost her friend, who was only 19 years old. He was a university student, and his residence was struck in an attack.
Another young woman, also just 19, who is currently staying at our shelter, lost both of her parents two years ago when a drone hit their home, killing them. She is now a single mother with very little support.
A 17-year-old boy, whose younger sister is at our shelter, is currently in the hospital. He was simply out collecting firewood when a drone strike hit, leading to his arm being amputated.
Death from natural disasters is beyond human control, but death from war is not. War is human-inflicted and, in many ways, avoidable. Yet the hunger for power, money, and control continues to drive people toward evil, costing thousands of innocent lives.
Although there is much heartbreak right now, Scripture offers hope. Isaiah 2:4 paints a future where war no longer exists, where human conflict gives way to worldwide peace. It offers a message of hope. Until then, let us do our part to fight evil with love.