Ponderings on Charlie Kirks Death - Keeping Jesus the Main Thing

To be quite honest, I didn't listen to Charlie Kirk much.  I saw clips of him here and there and knew about his grassroots ministry of Turning Point.  I liked what he stood for and what he was doing.  He definitely was doing what God put him here to do.  He had the personality for it, and the drive to do what he did.  However, even though I wasn't an avid listener, I did listen to his last interview with Laura Ingram on Fox News last Monday night.  I loved what he said, "Get married, have children, love your family."  And I smiled and agreed, that is the true American and Christian way to live happily.  For reasons only known to the Lord, He has not granted me that happiness yet, but He has given me many children who need love into my arms to make laugh, to teach, and hug tight.  I love being Aunt Aggie.

Last Wednesday I was working from home as is usual, and I was flipping around on the TV usually between Fox News and something else, Martha Stewart...something for background noise.  When I flipped over to Fox News and saw the headline I was stunned.  Charlie Kirk has been shot.  My next mistake was going on X to investigate and I saw THE Video.  I almost passed out.  I cried for days and days and couldn't stop.  A brother, a son, in the body of Christ was assassinated in cold blood for the entire world to see.  He only spoke truth.  He hasn't hateful, he didn't yell, he didn't throw things at people, or set things on fire, he didn't use profanity, he didn't flip people off.  He just sat and debated people, and truly wanted them to prove him wrong.

There's been so many emotions from myself and others.  Tears, anger, vulnerability, heaviness.  I used to think nothing could happen to me because God was protecting me, and now I feel like that's not true anymore.  I know it's true, but at the same time the jolting image of Charlie being shot after proclaiming Jesus Christ as Savior...wow!  God allows things to happen in His time, and for whatever reason it was time for Charlie to go home.  He fulfilled the mission that God sent him to do.

On that same note, a lot of people are saying they want to keep carrying Charlie's mission, and Charlie has become an idol to worship.  Yes, he was a good example of a man and how to live a godly life, but we do not worship and idolize him above God.  So I think Christians have to be very careful in how we respond and not let ourselves lose sight of Jesus.  We are commanded by Jesus Himself the Great Commission.  God's mission is our mission.  Go!  Tell the World about JESUS!  That means we will be hated, and we might even be shot too.  We must obey, and be faithful to what God has called us to do.  I'm sorry, but I am not Charlie Kirk.  I am who God made me to be, and where he placed me to be to love and touch those around me.  I like to live silently (sometimes) away from the crowd and observe.  I know what my assignment from God is, and I will be faithful to it.  Charlie did what God sent him to do.  God will raise up other "Charlie's" to do His work.  So many of us run out to do things and never stop to ask God if that's what He wants us to do.  We sign up to do more than our bodies can handle, when God never asked us to do half the things we busy ourselves with.  We must be people of prayer.

I know some are praying for the shooter to come to know Christ and be a "Saul" just because he shot a Christian.  We should remember who Saul was, he was a Jew and knew the scriptures, he had high power and authority, he was just mixed up about this new revolution on the scene of Christians who seemed to be doing everything opposite of Judaism in the name of God!  Saul was not a deranged gay man in love with a transgender.  Could the shooter repent? Absolutely!  But it's this a Saul experience?  I have a hard time seeing it that way.  

I've seen the question, "Should you leave your church if Charlie Kirk wasn't mentioned?"  I don't know.  I was disappointed my church didn't address it because we were all hurting, he was a member of the body of Christ and he was an influencer on generations in the church.  I guess we should ask, What is the Church for?  Why do we gather?  Who is the Church for?  The Church is the body of Christ.  It's not about Charlie Kirk, but he was apart and murdered for things he said including Biblical truth.  We all have questions surrounding what happened.  Is God good and love to allow that to happen?  Will he let a bullet rip through me?  How can I trust Him?  Church helps us answer these questions, because Church leads us to worship Jesus as King, as Savior, and as LORD of our lives.  Church leads us to live in the power of the cross, the life of the Spirit of God, to the glory of God Himself.  How do we glorify God?  Love our family, love each other, love our spouse, love our children, guide each other to righteousness, tell people about Jesus and the gift of Salvation, proclaim truth, point out the schemes of Satan and snatch our friends out of Hell, hurt with the body, rejoice with the body...these are a few things.  You shouldn't leave your church, it's not a doctrinal/theological matter, however, it was an opportunity missed to be able to hurt with each other for the fear of causing polarization.  Even Jesus wept when Lazarus died, and he shared in that grief with Mary and Martha.

Just my ponderings.  I will end with a chorus I wrote a couple of months ago after the death of a family member.

"The love of Christ be with you today.  May you follow in His way.  Help someone in need, cry with those who grieve.  Love the orphan, that they may believe, The love of Christ be with you today."

Our Father in Heaven, we thank you for giving us Charlie for a time on this Earth and the fearless way he blazed a trail in pointing the next generation to You.  Thank you that he wasn't afraid to proclaim your truths, and that now many want to pick up where he left off.  Keep us from idolatry, we seek Your face God, Your will and way.  Show us the mission you want each of us to uniquely carry out for Your Kingdom and glory.  We don't want to do things our way.  We know Your return is nearing hour by hour.  You are an awesome God.  Cast out our fears, make us bold as Daniel to pray to You God in our Babylon.  Convict us to not fall for temptations what appeals to the senses, but to remain sensitive to Your Spirit leading.  Thank you for being everything to us.  Help us be faithful to things you have called us to do until you call us home.  There is no fear in death, you command every breath we take.  God save us from our nation falling apart, we have wars in the streets in our cities, we look for your mercy because that is who you are.  Have mercy on Your children.  Your love be with us today.  In Jesus' name, Amen.