Reflections from a Heavy Week
This article is a little different from my normal writing. Typically, I pull a topic from my weekly studies and develop it into a focused article. But this week has been different, heavy in many ways, and I want to share some reflections.
The Tragedy of a Life Taken
You’ve probably seen the tragic news that Charlie Kirk was murdered this week at a college campus event. Regardless of whether you agreed with his politics, methods, conclusions, or opinions, it was clear that he did seek to promote discourse with those who believed differently from him.
People are murdered every day, and each life lost is a tragedy. Yet, for reasons I didn’t expect, this particular news struck me deeply. Perhaps it’s because he leaves behind a wife and two young children. Perhaps because he was only two years older than me. Or perhaps because his death was the result of boldly standing for what he believed in.
As believers, we can learn from that, because that’s exactly what we are called to do: to speak the gospel and the truth of God in boldness, to persuade others, relying wholly on the strength He provides (Acts 4:13, 9:27-29, 13:46, 14:3, 18:4, 26, 19:8, Rom 15:15, 2Co 10:1-2, Eph 3:12, 6:19-20).
While I didn’t agree with him on every theological or political point, I believe Charlie was saved. I’ve seen him give clear testimonies of trusting Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection alone, without works, for the forgiveness of sins (1Co 15:1-4). And while there were times he spoke without doctrinal clarity on Bible issues, the purpose of this article is not to promote his politics or theology, but rather, to think about what we can learn from this and reflect on someone who I believe was a brother in Christ.
A World of Brokenness
The brokenness in this world, and in ourselves, is the consequence of sin and the lies of Satan. We’re fighting a battle of hearts and minds with the armor of God and against spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph 6:10-20). The gospel shines a bright light: it condemns sin while offering redemption through Christ. Some in this world want to extinguish that light, but its power can’t be stopped, as it lives on in soul-saving, life-changing power (2Co 4:1-18).
Politics cannot solve the deepest problems of the soul and can’t save anyone. Only Christ and His Word can. Yet, we are told to pray for our leaders so that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives, enabling us to carry out God’s will: seeing souls saved and saints edified.
“[1] I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-4
A few months ago, Charlie was asked on a podcast what he would want to be remembered for if he died. His answer: “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith… The most important thing is my faith.” That statement is admirable, and tragically, it has now been brought into sharper reality.
Strength in the Midst of Persecution
When tragedy strikes, and when we see people persecuted for their faith, the temptation is to shrink back in fear of what the world might do to us. But nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
The Apostle Paul, writing from a prison cell for his faith, reminds us of the proper response to persecution:
“And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear…For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:14-21
Let this tragedy point us back to Christ. Let it embolden us to stand firm in our faith, speak the truth in love, and pray without ceasing. Whether by life or by death, Christ should be magnified. Though those who loved Charlie bear a great loss, I believe he has gained, and God alone knows how the testimony of his faith in Christ may continue to draw others to Him.
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” – 2 Timothy 3:12
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13
And let us not sorrow as those who have no hope, but rest in the hope of Christ’s return and our resurrection (1Th 4:13-18).
Show the love of Christ to those around you. Speak the gospel to them. Edify them. Don’t waste your life, for no one is guaranteed another day. Redeem the time for the sake of Christ because the days are evil. Wake up to the spiritual war that rages around us and be a tool of God, not a liability (Eph 4:15, 5:14-21).
Some Personal Things
Beyond this public tragedy, there have also been some heavy personal things.
A dear friend’s wife is facing serious health concerns and remains in the hospital. Many of you know the weight of such trials and may even know this couple. Please pray for their comfort and strength in Christ (Eph 3:13-21). If you’d like to help support them, feel free to reach out.
God comforts us in tribulation, growing our faith and enabling us to comfort others (Rom 5:1-5):
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-11
On top of that, this week I also had surgery to remove some cancer. While everything should be in the clear, these moments remind me of life’s brevity: “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (Jas 4:14).
Finding Strength in Weakness
The tough situations, both public and personal, drive me back to this truth: in our weakness, Christ’s grace is sufficient. His power is made perfect in our weakness (2Co 12:9-10). We can endure both the highest highs and lowest lows because of His love and strength: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Php 4:11-13).
This week has reminded me to prioritize what matters most:
Time in God’s Word and prayer
Time with my wife and family
Time with my church family
Time spent reaching the lost with the gospel of Christ
Life is too short, and the moments too precious, to waste on lesser things. My prayer is that you, too, will reflect on your life and fix your eyes on Christ, redeeming the time in light of eternity.
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18
