Hope does not put us to shame

“As they rejoiced in suffering because it produced endurance, and endurance produced character, and character produced hope. And hope does not put them to shame because God’s love has been poured out into their hearts”    

Romans 5:4 

The news of what is occurring in Ukraine is a common topic of discussion, but every assumption or opinion that I had faded after I was introduced to the people who are being affected. This summer I had the opportunity to go to Warsaw Poland for 3 weeks. While our days consisted of packaging food, teaching English lessons, and providing childcare, the part of this trip that stuck with me is getting the privilege to hear people’s stories.  

To hear what city they are from.  

To see pictures of their family.  

And for some, to learn how their relationship with Jesus has sustained them through their darkest circumstances.

What was beautiful is that most people that we served with to help support refugees, were Ukrainian refugees themselves. They dedicated so many hours to supporting the people of their country who were hurting, even when they were exhausted. I saw the love of Jesus so clearly communicated through people’s actions and showed me that circumstances do not stand in the way of the joy that Christ offers. 

I feared my ability to make an impact because of the language barrier that stood between us. However, the cool part is that it was not our job to say the right words. The biggest impact was our presence which communicated our support and our desire to make them feel seen. Love moves when words fail.  

The gospel brings so much hope and hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured out unto our hearts.