I’ve just returned from Europe and my heart is deeply stirred for that continent and its people. My children and grandchildren live there. I myself lived in Europe for 25 years of my adult life, across more than 20 countries. From what I can see, there is a growing awareness that Europe now faces challenges unlike anything since the Second World War. Decades of prosperity and peace have left the continent emasculated and unprepared. And now, almost suddenly, it finds itself confronted with a ruthless, unyielding adversary in the leader of Russia.
Oh, that Europe had at least one leader like Winston Churchill today—whose iron will was perhaps the single greatest factor in saving Europe from Hitler, and who later did what he could to limit Soviet Russia’s exploitation of Germany’s defeat. I earnestly hope that today’s European leaders will rise to the occasion and discover within themselves the courage and resolve to unite against their common foe, Putin.
But will they? That is the question. Because it will take more than strong national leadership. Generations of peace seldom prepare a people to quickly stand in defense of their nations when an enemy is at the gate. I almost shudder to imagine what it would mean if today’s fighting-age men of Europe were suddenly called upon to stand alongside Ukrainians against the relentless “meat grinder” waves of Russian soldiers that Putin sends to their deaths in pursuit of what he calls Russia’s glory.
And yet, I see glimmers of hope. To be frank, I am not “woke.” That ideology has plagued Europe for years, and in fact Putin has at times gained ground by portraying Russia as a defender of Christianity against what he calls the moral decline of Brussels and the spread of gender ideology. Across Europe, however, there are growing movements often labeled “far right” or “nativist.” In truth, many of these movements reflect ordinary people who are 
simply fed up with the godless, secular “progressive” wave that has steadily undermined traditional—and often Christian—values in nearly every European country.
Britain is a vivid example. In some places, local councils have gone so far as to order police to stop people from flying the Union Jack, Britain’s flag, on their own property! Meanwhile, others are arrested merely for standing silently across the street from abortion clinics. Such measures show just how far things have gone astray.
But the backlash is growing—the “natives are restless,” as the saying goes. It reminds me of the story of the boiling frog: slowly turn up the heat, and the frog won’t notice until it’s too late. But across Europe, many frogs are noticing—and they’re deciding to act. I find that encouraging.
Still, the reality remains: the enemy is at the gate—at several gates, in fact. Will there be a deliverer? From the top to the bottom, across the continent Europe needs… well, it needs God perhaps like never before. Will Europe’s leaders and people return to the values and convictions that sustained them through centuries of hardship? Or will this be one of those times when dark forces prevail and civilization retreats?
One way or the other, I believe a remnant of the people of faith will remain in Europe, as they have in one form or the other since Roman times. I find consolation in that. But for me, it is a sad, ominous, foreboding time and I do hope and pray for a better outcome in these things than what seems to be unfolding before us.
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