Sometimes, life as we know it, or think we do, goes off the rails—figuratively speaking. Catastrophic results turn our world upside down, and we don’t yet know the depth or width of the results.
Last week the world was rocked by the assassination of Turning Point’s charismatic leader, Charlie Kirk. This young man led a movement to allow young people to debate the issues of our time from the conservative Christian point of view. It is said he was responsible for bringing his followers to the polls in large numbers, convincing them that patriotism is indeed “cool,” that moral values are worth pursuing, that God and Jesus are indeed real and worthy of worship, family is important and vital to the health of our nation, and using good judgment and staying informed on the issues of the day are vitally important.
We may very well be at a watershed moment in our nation’s history when rhetoric is caustic, where opposition is strong, where name-calling without understanding the terminology, where political assaults bring hatred, and when ideas are demeaned rather than discussed. Politically, our nation is under attack by radical groups intent on cancelling first-amendment rights by mantras of repeated accusations without allowing for rational discussion.
Charlie Kirk believed in spiritual warfare and used his engaging manner to win opponents over with his usual manner of one-on-one debate on issues. While he always knew he had opposition, and rather relished it, he also knew the risks. He was Daniel heading into the lion’s den, and if he had fear for his safety, he rarely discussed it. Instead, after prayerfully considering options, he went to college after college, university after university intellectually challenging students, allowing for free expression of ideas on both sides.
He knew young people were being influenced by gaming sites and toxic websites spewing accusations that he was Fascist, radical, anti-gay, when in his demeanor and carefully chosen words, he was none of these. His message was clear: everyone is made in the image of God, everyone is redeemable by the Lord Jesus Christ, and family values and national pride are positive elements. He spoke truth to a generation of young people seeking to find that peace and direction for their lives.
In an eerily close likeness to the attempt on President Trump’s life, this young man’s assassin etched demonic messages on the bullets, crouched low on a rooftop, and took his best shot. A beautiful young man’s life was lost. Lost to a loving wife, Erica, to his two beautiful children, to loving parents and a sister, and to thousands of staff and members of Turning Point USA, he joined his Savior as yet another political martyr for a righteous cause.
Is the train derailed? I think not. In the words of his grace-filled, talented, and determined widow, “He has no idea what he has unleashed. This movement will be stronger than ever.”
I believe she is right. Just as national pride and determination resulted twenty-four years ago on 9/11, remembered at the same time of Charlie Kirk’s tragic death, an uprising of purposeful efforts to extend the movement he began has begun. A phoenix has arisen from the flames of hatred in Phoenix, Arizona, and his legacy will grow even stronger.
New bridges of understanding and purpose will result from the death of this young man. We pray it will be so. Amen.
About the Author
