At the heart of both Ukrainian resilience and the Christian faith is a simple truth: we need one another.
On August 19, 2026, Richard Gere recorded a video message to Ukrainians for the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, reciting a poem by Yuriy Izdryk, a Ukrainian writer and actor.
Izdryk asserts that a person is incapable of existing fully in isolation. We cannot be born, die, or find meaning on our own; we rely on “the other” to multiply our experiences, share joy safely, and face sorrow.
He echoes the New Testament focus on “one another.” Those references declare a crystal clear mandate that followers of Jesus embrace community, compassion, humility, generosity, service, and unconditional love.
Think of those who love you as you read Izdryk’s poem.
The Other
Yuriy Izdryk
a person can do nothing alone
a person always needs another
to multiply themselves by
to write poems for
to overcome despair with, side by side
or to share joy without risking
someone who can, at any moment, confirm
that you are real — that you exist.
for a person doesn’t truly believe in themselves
they’re always looking for a witness
no person? — they’ll catch a beast
no beast? — they’ll find a god
no god? — they’ll take a mirror
but even there won’t recognize themselves
for in themselves they see the face of death
and don’t understand that death does not exist…
a person can do nothing alone —
not be born, not die quietly
so be the other for me, my god
stay close…
be silent…
breathe…
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA By Qypchak – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Who are the “others” in your life?
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Good Morning Pastor Bob. I loved the blog this morning. So true….we can’t do it alone. As I read this blog, I could see the faces of the people…”that have my back”. And 2 of those faces were you & Jocelyn. Amongst many others …family & friends, co-workers from the many different jobs that I have had in my working career, friends that I have made through the many choirs that I have belonged to…my Dancing sisters & brothers, the friends that I have made through volunteering at Church, & even thinking of my loved ones…who have passed on. So many treasured friends & family members. I am truly blessed to have so many people rooting for me…not only in the good times…but, when we really need it…when we are on the “struggle bus”. “When people show you who they are….believe them.” That is when you really see who your “root friends are”. They are there in the good times & the bad times. Thank you for sharing this blog with us. Have a great week! Keep on, keeping on. ❤️
It’s one thing to have friends. It’s quite another to appreciate them. You get it.
Thank you for leaning into the conversation. You are one our “others.”