I don't usually like to write about politics in this forum, but, honestly, this isn't really about politics. It is about good and evil. I am profoundly sad today and I need to write to process my feelings. I expected to post something about the anniversary of 9/11, but another event transpired yesterday that has eclipsed that for me-the assassination of Charlie Kirk. For those of you who don't know about him or who he was, and for those of you who have vilified him and maligned his character, let me tell you who Charlie Kirk was. He was a devout Christian, a loving husband and father, and he was a peaceful man who just wanted to have meaningful conversations. He was a patriot who dropped out of college to start a movement to share his love of God, county, and family. He never turned anyone away. He often invited people who disagreed with him on his podcasts and he never turned down invitations to go on people's podcasts who disagreed with him. Several people who didn't agree with his beliefs have shared that he was a good and kind man. He was only 31 and he was so wise beyond his years.
Now I want to address the inhumanity that I am seeing all over the internet today. Shame on anyone who is celebrating this horrific act! Shame on anyone saying that Charlie deserved this! If that is you, I beg you to look at yourself in the mirror and do some serious self-reflection and soul searching. No one deserves what happened to Charlie!
This nation is so divided and filled with vitriol and hate. It seems we have lost our humanity. We have lost our way. I don't want to debate our Constitutional right to bear arms. Some may disagree, but this is not a gun problem. This is a problem of the heart. When people walk around with such hate and anger, most of the time not really knowing why they hate a person so much, and people are vilified in such horrific ways, it is a recipe for disaster. When did verbal disagreements become a justification for violence and murder? When did we lose the ability to agree to disagree? I am grief-stricken this morning. I am not only grieving the loss of Charlie Kirk, but I am also grieving for the loss of the soul of this country.
All of the above said, I still have hope. I was so encouraged to see all of the loving tributes to Charlie Kirk today, even from people who disagreed with him. I believe there is still goodness in the world. Maybe it is my faith, or maybe I am just an optimist, but I think we can turn this around. Change starts with each one of us. Let us be a light in this dark world. Let us listen to one another and try to understand one another rather than vilify each other because we don't agree on everything, which is exactly what Charlie worked so hard to accomplish. We are all human beings. Let's act like it.
I just want to say that Charlie was such an inspiration to me. I was in awe of his wisdom and intelligence. He entered the political arena at such a young age and, in his short life, he touched and inspired so many people to love one another and use our voices for good. Charlie, no matter what some people are saying about you today, I know the Lord welcomed you into His Heavenly Kingdom and said to you, "well done, my good and faithful servant." I will end with this Scripture for Charlie, "Enemies of mine, do not gloat over me! Although I have fallen, I will rise; though I live in the dark, Adonai is my light. (Micah 7:8)" You ran your race Charlie, now rest in your Heavenly abode. May your memory and legacy forever be a blessing.
