Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant

Heavy.

This is the word I continue to hear over and over as people describe how they are feeling after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. It's the word I, myself, have used to explain the sadness in my heart as I try to process the events of the past few days. At first I thought it was just me. I was reacting more than I usually would have upon hearing of the death of a beloved celebrity. I was shocked when I heard that Michael Jackson died. I was saddened at the news of Princess Diana's deadly car crash. I am even old enough to remember when Elvis died. Although upsetting and tragic, none of these affected me as deeply. 

• This felt different.
• This felt deeper.
• This felt confusing.
• This felt like more.

But why?

Why did his death feel like a punch in the gut? A shock I haven't felt since 911, watching the second tower get hit, knowing this was purposeful. It wasn't an accident. It wasn't just a small plane that lost it's way. This was a terrorist attack on our country. 

This was personal. 

And so was the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Charlie Kirk didn't die because he was sick. This wasn't because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. This wasn't because he was doing something wrong, or hateful, or harmful. This was an attack on a man.

This was personal.

I will never forget the way I felt when I heard the news. I was inconsolable. It felt like I had lost someone I loved dearly. It felt so strange because I didn't know him, but felt like I did. It felt like I had lost a friend. A brother. It took me a while to realize why. 

He was my brother.

Matthew 12:50 Jesus says, "Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." We both love and serve the Lord with our whole hearts. We both call him Abba Father. Daddy. Charlie Kirk and I were brother and sister in Christ. It's quite a big family we have, too. There are so many of us who call Jesus Father. And what a privilege and honor to do so. Charlie Kirk knew that. 

• He wanted everyone to know Jesus.
• He wanted everyone to follow Jesus.
• He wanted everyone to live like Jesus.
• He wanted everyone to love like Jesus. 

Just like Charlie did.

Maybe you're reading this and feeling the heaviness yourself. And maybe it's for the same reason. Maybe it's not. Maybe you don't consider Jesus your father, but connected with Charlie on an intellectual or personal level. Maybe you are a fellow Patriot, and like Charlie, you so dearly love your country. He died spreading a message of hope to young people all across this beautiful country that he loved. 

Charlie already had hope. He already knew that love covers a multitude of sins. He already understood the US Constitution and the freedoms we have in America that we are in jeopardy of losing. He knew the breakdown of the family had a direct effect on children and society as a whole. He wanted us to know it also. He loved America. He loved Jesus. And he loved you. 

His voice will not be silenced.

On September 10, 2025, someone tried to silence Charlie Kirk, but it didn't work. His voice is still heard loud and clear around the world today. If you didn't know his name before that fateful day, you are sure to know it now. 

• Brave
• Strong
• Fair
• Calm
• Intelligent
• Caring
• Informed
• Bold
• Kind
• Patient

The list goes on. Charlie Kirk was all of those things. He was also a husband, a father, a son, and a friend. Last Wednesday, we lost a great man who spent his adult life fighting for what he believed in. Opening up dialogue on college campuses, talk shows, and dinner tables. Encouraging us to do the same. He didn't want us to stop talking to each other. Communication is key. When communication stops, things break down. Societies, families, nations, relationships. So let's honor Charlie and continue the dialogue. We can all agree to disagree, but what we can't do is try to silence people we disagree with. And we certainly can not condone murder because of our differences. 

This is not red versus blue. This is good versus evil. Martin Luther King famously stated, "Hate can not drive out hate. Only love can do that." Only love. So let us not ever let Charlie Kirk's death be in vain. Continue talking, learning, growing, and do it the way Charlie did. With respect, an open mind, and with love. There's a better way to address our differences. There has to be.

Charlie knew that. 

When asked what he wanted to be most remembered for when he died, his answer was, "I want to be remembered for courage for my faith. That would be the most important thing is my faith."

• Not his politics.
• Not his character.
• Not his family.
• Not his career successes.

His faith. 

And that's what people will remember him for. Whether they agreed with him or not, one thing most people can agree upon is that he was a man of great faith, and he stood for what he believed in. He wanted people to live lives filled with God's goodness and grace. Any chance he got, he pointed people towards Jesus. He knew the young people in this nation and the world are feeling lost, depressed, anxious, and empty. He wanted them to know there was more out there for them. Let's send the message that Charlie ultimately died for. Jesus loves you. All of you. If you've never heard of Charlie Kirk, now you have. If you have never learned about Jesus, now is your chance. Tomorrow isn't promised, so start today, and live out your happily ever after, after. After September 10, 2025 changed you. 

Well done, good and faithful servant.

Matthew 25:21