The past week’s events have been so difficult regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk. A father, husband, brother in Christ, and a soldier of the cross! I was at home when I heard the news and texted my wife. I was in a state of shock. I couldn’t believe it happened. How could this happen? I was not a huge follower of Charlie, but I always enjoyed watching him speak at different events. I especially enjoyed the debates at college universities. As the days went by, I was surprised by how his death had affected me. It was very emotional, and tears were sometimes hard to hold back. I was terribly sad and angry at the same time. How could I feel this way? I didn’t know him personally. The news of his death went around the world. I have watched many videos, news, commentaries, and testimonies about Charlie’s impact. It was amazing to see his influence on so many people, especially the youth. It is truly remarkable! This past Sunday, many Churches were seeing an increase in attendance. People who have not been to church in a long time were going back. People were buying Bibles, sharing their testimonies on social media. It sounds like a revival. One Church in New York saw five hundred plus people make a decision for Christ. That is awesome!
This past week, I thought a lot about my own family, my wife, my kids, and my grandkids. How extremely blessed I am. As a husband, father, and grandfather, how am I impacting those close to me? How am I exemplifying the godly qualities that Charlie had? Where am I falling short, and what can I improve on? I have yet to ask my kids how they have been impacted by this event, and they can expect me to soon. My heart and prayers go out to the Kirk family, TPUSA(Turning Point USA), and the college students at the University of Utah. How awful to witness this tragedy before their eyes. There is darkness and evil in the world. The question today is not why this happened, but what we will do with our lives and the time God has given us. I was so stirred up this week, asking God,”What can I do?” I haven’t received any particular answer. Other than focusing on my relationship with God and praying, and loving my family. I was thinking about schools and colleges in our area, and whether they had TPUSA chapters on their campuses. I hope to find out soon. I love college ministry and was involved in B.A.S.I.C. when I was pastoring years ago. I miss it a lot.
I loved what Charlie stood for. Faith. family and freedom. He was a courageous man of God! He loved people, no matter where they stood politically or morally. Many said that Charlie wasn’t afraid to go into the lion’s den of humanistic, anti-Christian, and secular colleges to have a civil debate. He wanted to reach these young minds and give a different perspective, help them to see a different point of view, and ultimately share the good news of the gospel. There is without doubt that evil exists! That is very clear. It’s not the left or the right; it is good versus evil. Darkness versus light. It is truth versus lies. Charlie spoke the truth in love, and he was martyred for it. Why people celebrate his death is inconceivable. It is wrong and it is evil. But this is due to the lostness of people horribly deceived, brainwashed, and spiritually dead( Eph. 2:1-3), John 3:19-20 (NKJV)-19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. They need Christ! They need God’s love and a forgiving Savior. They need to come into the light! Charlie loved Jesus, and Jesus died for everyone.
Without getting into a major discussion about God’s sovereignty and His will. Did God cause this or allow this to happen? Why didn’t God protect Charlie? That’s a big question that we all will struggle with in the days to come. I have learned to always stay on God’s side. God is good, the Devil is bad! Charlie knew his life was in danger and received death threats, as he and people close to him have reported. Did he get any kind of warning not to do the event? I’m not sure at this point. God, in his foreknowledge, I believe, knew this was going to happen. Yet he doesn’t control everything in our lives. People have free will, and evil exists( Eph. 6:10-12). There is a Devil who comes to steal, kill, and destroy ( John 10:10). I don’t think it was God’s will for Charlie to die this early in his life; only God knows. Martyrdom is always a possibility for Christians (Rev. 12:11). Thousands have given their lives for Christ because of persecution. We see in the New Testament many who gave their lives for Christ. We are not exempt or redeemed from persecution. John 15:20 (NKJV)-20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. We also read in the gospels: Matthew 5:10-12 (NKJV)-10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Jesus tells us what to do in this regard: Matthew 5:44-45 (NKJV)-44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Brother Charlie exhibited these qualities in his life and ministry. I believe God will turn this tragedy for good and for His glory, and we are seeing this very thing play out before our eyes. It definitely is a “turning point” for our nation and for the body of Christ. Romans 8:28 (NKJV)-28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
In closing, we can see the negative effects of social media on our youth today. The downside of the internet is a pipeline of lies and deception. How many lives, marriages, and young people have been destroyed by pornography? How many impressionable young minds are influenced by ideologies that promote ungodliness and violence? How many young people have no guidance, warning, or parental oversight of its dangers? So much that is anti-American, anti-conservatism, and anti-God. Obviously, there is good when it comes to the internet as well. We can reach people like never before with the good news of the gospel. The enemy would want us to be silent, but that cannot happen! The righteous are as bold as a lion, and we must not back down. We need to pray for our nation, our government, the Kirk family, TPUSA, and that God will continue to visit our nation with revival and a great awakening, which I believe we are seeing. Ask God today what you can do and what you might need to change in your life to be more like Christ. What can you do to continue to share Christ with those around you? Get involved in your Church, be a discipleship maker, and if you’re older be a blessing to the young people. Continue to pray for our nation and its youth. I know Charlie is rejoicing in heaven and has received his eternal reward. Psalm 116:15 (NKJV)-15 Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.
John 12:24-26 (NKJV)-24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
In Christ’s love;
Brent and Linda Bushen
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