A few weeks ago we all had occasion to feel really patriotic. The theme in SMS Club was a topic that for Ukrainians is somewhat contentious: "You are important to your country".

 

The simple mention of the topic brings a slightly sarcastic smile to the face of the contemporary resident of  our motherland along with a gloomy, disappointed look. "What's there to talk about here? Look reality in the eye!" - that's the first thought that comes to the mind of a mature and thoughtful person. There is no sense in talking about the "charms" of Ukrainian life, and our national literature does not abound with happy themes. If a song starts with the sad exclamation "Oy", then rest assured, the Ukrainian people are involved in the composition.

 

Well - we decided to change the tone of disappointment to one of hope and cheer. "Did you buy rose-colored glasses for everyone?" you may ask. No unfortunately we couldn't afford that. We simply transferred the responsibility for the future of Ukraine from the government to the shoulders of the citizens. In his brief address to the younger Poltava generation, Oleg Ovsiy called on each of them to consciously begin to fulfill God's instructions in the Bible. It isn't for nothing that the Holy Scriptures state: "blessed is the people whose God is the Lord."

Let's all try amicably to put this principle into practice! Let's stop denouncing our leadership and those in power! Let's start to pray for our country and submit our lives to the power of the Creator! If every person who considers himself a Christian gets his life in order: stops poisoning himself with vodka, tries to maintain a good relationship with those around him, devotes more attention to his spirituality, and even occasionally takes the Bible in hand and turns to God in sincere prayer - in that case God's blessings will not be long in coming. Just give it a try!

Tanya Varyanitsa