Like so many others, I have found myself deeply impacted by what has happened to Charlie Kirk. I’ve felt deep sadness, for his family and for our nation. I’ve felt intense anger and frustration over where we are as a society. I have also found myself caught up in serious self-reflection. As a result, I can feel that something down in my core has shifted, and in some fashion, I feel that I am much better for it. Even in his death, Charlie Kirk is calling out a challenge to us all, “Be better tomorrow than you were today!”
While the letter of Paul to the Philippians was written from the perspective of a man in prison for his staunch belief in Christ, I found that many of the words written by Paul sound as though they could have been spoken by Charlie today.
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.”
Philippians 1:12-14 NIV
That’s all he wanted…for people to be able to have respectful discussions where there are differences of opinions in order to find some common ground in the middle. It is on common ground that the most sturdy structures can be built. I’m not of the opinion that it has to be all one way or the other. I believe that we need to take some of this bit and some of that bit and a little of that over there, and combine them together in order to make something better and stronger than any one component on it’s own. Just like concrete.
There are some who feel that the Judeo-Christian foundation of this country is somehow oppressive. Tell that to the 250 years of success we’ve had in becoming the most powerful nation on earth. If other ways were more effective, then perhaps those places would be stronger than we are as a nation. I can’t really speak to that, as I was born and raised here, so my foundation is one of freedom, strength, and prosperity through hard work and the grace of God.
In Philippians 1:18-20 NIV Paul is rejoicing because, even when it’s coming from a place of disagreement, talk about Jesus is still talk about Jesus, because ”whether in pretense or in all honesty, Christ is being preached, and in this, I rejoice.” He says he will continue to rejoice, “for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Someone I heard on a news program was pondering whether or not Charlie was afraid when he was out on college campuses debating people. They wondered if he lived in fear at times, because of all the threats that had come his way. I’m inclined to think that he probably didn’t spend much time being afraid. Charlie Kirk knew exactly what he believed and he was born with a conviction to live that way to his fullest capacity. I believe when you are that focused on following God’s plan and doing God’s work, there isn’t nearly as much room for fear in your heart, too.
That doesn’t mean he never felt afraid of something like this happening to him. I just don’t have the impression that he would pay much attention to that fear as it passed through. He was too wise about the ways of evil. I read a great quote the other day that feels very fitting in this instance: “You cannot suffer the past or future because they do not exist. What you are suffering is your memory and your imagination.” (Author unknown).
I’ve been on a journey of learning to live in the present over the last few years. I’ve been learning that having peace doesn’t mean I don’t have worries and woes. It simply means that I’m aware that I’m not equipped to solve them, but I’m even more aware that my life is 100% backed by my creator, who has the capacity to solve everything! I carry as much of the load as I can carry each day, using the gifts I’ve been given to the best of my human ability. I do not spend time worrying about the parts of the load that I don’t feel equipped to carry, because I believe that God will either send someone who is equipped, or He will give me what I need when I need it.
Let me close out with a final thought from Paul to the Philippians…and perhaps from Charlie Kirk to anyone willing to listen:
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.”
Philippians 1:27-28 NIV
Love the Hand of God 