From the Editor

A DIFFERENT PSALM

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” (Ps. 2:1-3)

As we prepare this issue of Connections, the nations of Ukraine and Russia are at war. Kyiv is under seige. Four pastors from Ukraine visited College Church to learn how we do our pastoral residency program. We pray that they can get back home safely. With Ukraine on a precipice, we open our pages to missionaries and the partner seminaries and national workers there.

For me, Ukraine and Russia are the countries of my heart. As I have been following the news here in Wheaton, I think of a time many years ago when I was at a church service in Ukraine. It was during the Soviet days. I noticed a woman in a bridal dress in the front row. Marriage was so much a part of the church that the ceremony was held at the end of a Sunday morning service. The bride and groom sat in the front row. After sermons, songs, poetry and prayers, the pastor called them up. They exchanged vows and rings and were married. The Sunday morning service ended.

Afterwards, they invited me to their reception, a day and night celebration at a home. God brought me to this church on their wedding day. Or course I said yes. I was even in some of the wedding photos.

I don’t know how to describe the sense I had of feeling more at home there in that moment than anywhere else on earth. It was the strangest sense, I think, of maybe heaven.

The churches and people in those countries have blessed me in so many ways. My service to them, looking back, seems like nothing compared to the grit, determination and love they bring to their people and others around the world. So, we make space in this issue of Connections for our missionaries and our brothers and sisters.

I had never met the married couple before that day nor do I expect to see them again in this life. We may not even recognize one another if we did. But I wonder if we will sit close to one another when we are all the bride and the beloved Savior Christ triumphs over all the things of this world and puts everything right. Let the feast begin.

Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2: 11-12)

WIL TRIGGS