This has been quite a week. It's heavy. I feel like there has been a tectonic cultural shift in our world, and I'm still trying to catch my breath.

The world literally shook the day Charlie Kirk was assassinated. (There was an earthquake in Utah on Wednesday, September 10th a couple of hours after his death was confirmed.)

If you're not familiar with Charlie Kirk, you can check out his videos via the Turning Point USA, Turning Point USA Faith, and Charlie Kirk Show websites. Please listen to his own words as there's a lot of misinformation being shared, and it's hard to describe who he was in a "relatively" short blog post.

Suffice it to say that Charlie was a young leader trying to shift the culture via the use of words, logic, and conversation. He spoke directly to college kids and the 30-something crowd, but those of us who are more "seasoned" also learned a ton about contending for our faith, discussing difficult topics with respect and grace, and living without fear.

He didn't settle disputes with fists on the playground. He settled cultural, political, and theological differences by articulating his belief, debating (sometimes vehemently) someone who held an opposing belief, and allowing the discourse to remain unresolved if he couldn't persuade his debate partner to concede to his perspective.

He was a man who understood that culture, politics, and faith were interdependent, and he navigated through each conversation with an ease that was equally intimidating and inspiring. (How does he speak like that? I pray I can speak like him someday.)

Above all, though, Charlie was a Jesus follower. The part of his debates that I liked the most were the times when he ended by saying, "Thank you for the question, and I want you to know that Jesus died for you on a cross because He loves you so much."

I've read and shared so many Facebook posts this week. I've thought about what and when I should email the Pray God's Way family, but Satan set the comparison trap over and over again. How could I say anything to you that would be more helpful than a pastor, or a Christian teacher, or Charlie himself?

I cannot. All I can do is share my grief and sadness and hope with you.

Here are a few thoughts of hope I had this week (#BOLO4G):

• Yesterday, I heard a leader at TPUSA tell a reporter that parents across the world are emailing him with stories of their young adults picking up their Bibles again and going back to church.
• Despite the hateful rhetoric that has flooded social media, people are speaking up publicly. And that's good. Because as Charlie would say, "When the conversation stops, violence starts."
• Erika Kirk, Charlie's widow, recorded a courageous statement that is bringing more people, especially young people, to join Charlie's TPUSA mission and TPUSA-Faith mission. (18,000 new TPUSA chapter request have already been submitted.)
• And people are coming to Christ because they are listening to Charlie's teachings online, even if they have never heard of him before.

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LEAN ON JESUS

I read Scripture every day, but when the world turns upside down, I immerse myself even more in the Word. I thought I'd share a few things with you that helped me this week:

1) Read Ephesians chapter 6:10-20. This world doesn't make sense unless I remember that we are always at war with evil. To be honest, evil is a concept I have a hard time wrapping my arms around. But Jesus knew evil roamed this earth, so I need to know it and believe it too. And I need to be ready for the spiritual battle by knowing my Bible and by praying. Ephesians Chapter 6 tells me how.

2) Read all of 2 Timothy. This is a letter from the Apostle Paul to Timothy. Paul led Timothy to faith in Jesus Christ, and Paul thought of Timothy as his spiritual son. I've read 2 Timothy over and over again this week, and each time, I see verses describing how Charlie lived his life. Here's one,

So I read 2 Timothy and pretend that Paul is advising me. It's a powerful letter for every Christian right now.

3) Remember Titus 2:11-14. I am not of this world. You are not of this word. We are citizens of Heaven, waiting for our Savior Jesus Christ—our Blessed Hope—to bring us home. These verses tell me to live a self-controlled, upright, and godly life now. I remember them when I'm posting online or having in-person conversations. And I look forward to the day when I'm home and will want to do nothing but rejoice.

4) Remember that Jesus is our Savior. Social media and traditional media are completely focused on Charlie Kirk right now. He should be remembered and eulogized, but I believe Charlie would be uncomfortable with this type of attention. He would not want the focus to be on him. He would want the focus of my discussions and my posts to be on spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, my Savior. I listen to his videos, so I can learn to boldly finish a conversation the way Charlie did, "I want you to know that Jesus Christ died on a cross to pay for your sins because . . . He loves you so much."

5) Pray. Pray. And Pray some more.

Charlie is with our Heavenly Father. He is rejoicing. I should be rejoicing too as I firmly believe that God is using this unspeakable tragedy for good. (Romans 8:28)

LET'S PRAY

Heavenly Father, We are citizens of Heaven, but we still have one foot in this broken world. We humbly come to you, Lord, knowing that You are our only hope, our Blessed Hope.

Please give us courage to live our faith without fear. Please help us use Charlie's example to make Heaven crowded. Give us patience and mercy and grace and the right words to speak with people who disagree with us.

Please put a hedge of protection around every Christian who shares your Gospel. We will rejoice with You and the angels in Heaven as each lost soul repents and accepts You as Savior. (Luke 15:10)

Thank you for giving us 31 years with Charlie Kirk. Please comfort Erika Kirk, their children, and all those who loved Charlie during this time of mourning. Please comfort all of the families who were impacted by violence this year and on 9/11 in 2001 and 2012. Lord, thank you for taking our burdens and making them light. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Blessings,

Michelle | To God Be The Glory
Be On The Lookout For God #BOLO4G #BeABerean

Helping women nurture a deeper relationship with our one and only living God through prayer and the Bible