A Nation Shaken:
This week, the news of Charlie Kirk’s tragic death has left me and many reeling. Whether you agreed with his views or not, the violence surrounding his life’s end is a sobering reminder: our world is broken, and none of us are guaranteed tomorrow.
Personally, I was a fan…I don’t know if I would have agreed with him on every point, but from what I saw and heard he was unapologetically a follower of Jesus and he encouraged others to do the same. He was conservative in his views and welcomed conversation without personal slander. I truly believe he wanted a better world for everyone.
So, moments like this shake us. They rattle our sense of security and stir fear about where our culture is heading. I am the first to think ‘maybe a nice cave home up on a mountain away from all the people would be good’ and I have to battle that desire to isolate- because that is exactly what Satan wants us to do…he knows we’re so much weaker alone.
But as believers, we must hold onto this truth:
the world may be unstable, but Christ is unshakable!
The reality of spiritual battle
Scripture tells us plainly…
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Political violence is not only about politics. It’s a symptom of something deeper: a spiritual battle that has been raging since Eden.
When we see events like this unfold, we cannot simply shake our heads at “the other side.” Instead, we must lift our eyes higher. The real battleground is the spiritual realm.
Most people get very uncomfortable at the thought of all this….we can’t see it, we don’t understand it, and it seems so scary. Our imaginations run wild, and I don’t know about you…but it’s easy for me to be frightened and fearful of things I can’t see. I don’t even go out in the dark.
It’s important to remember this especially now though…because when we try to make sense of what happened…there is nothing we can come up with to justify taking a “good” mans life. But it wasn’t about Charlie Kirk…it was what he represented in the spiritual realm!
Words Have Weight, But Faith Has Greater Power
Much has been said about words in the wake of this tragedy—how rhetoric can wound, provoke, or divide. And it’s true:
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
But as believers, we cannot be silent out of fear. We are called to speak the truth in love!
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ
Speaking the truth in love means this: we don’t compromise biblical conviction, and we don’t echo the bitterness of the world. Instead, we season our words with grace, let them be grounded in Truth, and know that the God who is in us is stronger than the god of this world!
It also means we’re careful with them! We are to…
... be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
And if that isn’t enough… I often remember that…
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.
It’s so sobering…I fail at this all the time…but I try, it’s a process…Our words have power!
Grieve with Hope, Stand with Strength
This is a time to grieve. We weep with those who weep. We mourn the reality of violence and the brokenness of our nation.
We don’t have to know him or his family personally to care and hurt with them.
This is not the nation or world we expected to find ourselves in. I could not have imagined this world when I was younger… I would have thought it impossible had you told me what we are now living through. There is a grief when we realize that the world we had hoped for is no longer possible…and that’s ok.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (ESV)
But we do not grieve as those without hope!
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
Hope is one of the most important things in this world! It’s also one of the sweetest promises that we cling to. The reality for those of us who are saved is that we will see Charlie again! Eternity is SO much longer than the time we have here on earth. We have no goodbyes for those in the family of God…just “see you soons.”
This is not a time to shrink back but to press deeper into Christ.
Trials test us, but they also produce endurance, maturity, and faith.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Courageous Faith in Divisive Times
So what do we do when the world feels unstable…How do we hold fast to our faith?
We do several things….
Stay rooted in Scripture. Let God’s Word define reality—not fear, not headlines. This is the #1 thing we MUST do! The Word is alive…in comforts, it strengthens, it is how God speaks to us…we MUST be in it constantly!
Pray with persistence. For our leaders, our families, our enemies, and for justice to be done. Pray for Charlie’s family. Pray for your Pastor as people will look to spiritual leaders during a time like this and there is an openness that is not often there.
Live with conviction. Don’t water down your faith for the comfort of fitting in. It is SO tempting to be quiet due to fear- it is completely natural- but we must be all the more confident in our faith and be ready to give an answer in season.
Be a peacemaker. While others shout, choose to be a voice of grace and reconciliation.
The early church flourished not in comfort but during difficult times and with courage. And God is calling us, too, to shine like lights in a crooked and twisted generation. The world needs our light! Especially during such dark times…
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
...that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world...
From Fear to Faith: Our Eternal Perspective
Evil is real..In a world that wants to say “everyone has good in them- something had to make them be like that…” we have to know that that is not the truth. Evil is very real… but it will not have the last word. Jesus said,
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Our citizenship is in Heaven. Our hope is not in political figures, governments, or systems but in Christ, who will return to set all things right.
In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
A Call to Courage
Tragedy is a call not to despair but to courage—to live boldly for Christ while we have breath.
Charlie Kirk’s death reminds us of the fragility of life and the urgency of faith. There is no doubt in my mind that Charlie quickly heard “Well done, my good and faithful servant…” And I have no doubt that he would want you to do business with Jesus… Today is the day of salvation!
Now is not the moment to step back in fear—it’s the moment to dig our roots deeper in Christ. To live with courage. To let our testimony shine brighter than the darkness around us.
Dear One, if your heart is broken or troubled about this go to your Father in Heaven and begin with prayer…He will meet you there!
The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
Lastly, I want to give you a few small prayers to keep with you… Jot them down and share them with others… Spread the Light!
5 Prayers for Troubled Times:
A Prayer for Steadfast Faith
Lord, when fear rises, root me deeper in Your Word. Anchor me in truth so I will not be shaken.
A Prayer for Strength in Trials
Father, when the world feels unstable, be my refuge and strength. Teach me to stand firm in You.
A Prayer for Boldness in Witness
Jesus, give me courage to speak truth with love, even when it costs me. Let my words reflect Your grace.
A Prayer for Peace in Division
Holy Spirit, guard my heart against bitterness. Make me a peacemaker in a world of strife.
A Prayer for Eternal Perspective
Lord, remind me that my hope is in Heaven. Help me live with courage today because my eternity is secure in You.
