First We Weep

Yesterday marked an anniversary of the shocking attack on our nation twenty-four years ago where so many innocent people died. People who were doing their ordinary jobs. Just showing up for work. Financial planners. Economists. Secretaries. Janitors. Firemen. Policemen. Nearly 3,000 people died that day. We grieve those unnecessary losses.

And the day before, on September 10, a light in a dark world was needlessly shot and killed as he was reasoning with students. Charlie Kirk cared about the truth. He was a Christ follower first and it was his faith that moved him to portray that truth he believed in. He was never ashamed of his faith in Jesus and always stated he wanted to be remembered for his faith in Jesus Christ. He did similarly as Jesus did by answering questions and giving a reasonable explanations as to why he believed what he did believe. He didn’t do it in anger, he always respectfully answered those who disagreed with him. Usually, they lost the argument, for he gave so many facts that rebutted their questions and belief system. He firmly portrayed what he believed was the truth. He was a patriot. He was a husband. A father to two. He was a son. Most importantly, a Christ follower.

Someone disagreed with him and instead of reasoning with Charlie, he shot and killed him. It was pure evil that did this.

So wrong. This act. So many are shocked and grieved that this happened. I feel so helpless.

I’ve learned about grief from my past. It swoops down. Even when it’s expected, we are shocked when someone dies. We can’t believe it. We deny it. We sit in silence. We weep. We are sometimes angry. Death is an enemy. I am helpless.

I’ve done little the past few days. Only what was necessary. I grieved.

On Friday mornings when I write my blog, I always open my Bible and read.  Among the pages are blotches of what was moisture at one time. Tears. There are spots of coffee, too. Sometimes I underlined passages because I was convicted of something I read. Other times, the words had given me comfort. But all of what I read was Truth. There were times when I needed to be strong and it was there. Times to not fear. A reminder that God’s word is true, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV).

We have been grieving about a life that was cut short. Charlie Kirk was only thirty-one. We expected him to be out there, talking the truth on the airwaves, and in the public square, for many more years, but instead he was cut down. Someone disagreed with him and instead of dialoguing which is what Charlie did best, he killed him. Charlie’s life ended here on earth, but he is very alive right now.

There’s so much I could say this morning. I appreciate what one pastor wrote and I will include part of it here:

Paul said, “I have fought the good fight… I have kept the faith.”

Then he looked toward the reward.

Not a monument. Not a mention in history books.

But a crown.

Handed to him by the One with nail marks still in His hands.

So let me say this clearly.

We do not mourn like the world mourns.

We do not write eulogies dripping with sentiment.

We sing songs of resurrection.

We carry the banner of a Kingdom that does not tremble.

Charlie Kirk did not die for nothing.

He died carrying the same message you and I must now carry forward.

The cross stands tall.

The tomb is still empty.

And the gospel has not lost one ounce of power.

So pick up your cross.

Wipe your eyes.

And keep going.

The crown is worth it.

The King is coming.

And there’s still time to speak.

Even if they shoot.

And for a time, we can mourn and weep. We should. And then courageously be bold in the truth.  Jesus commanded us to tell: ¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20). 

I’m so glad of the promise that He will be with us. And He is with us in this time of grief and loss. I know that though this senseless act took place, God was not surprised. We don’t understand why Charlie was taken. We don’t have to. We can weep and mourn. We can rest in the One who knows and understands. And then go forward with the truth. And He is there…

Every day it gets closer to the time when I will meet Jesus face to face.

Enjoy the song below:

Below is a photo of skywriting, done by my son, Todd. It expresses it so well.

Skywriting by Todd Rudberg

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