The death of Charlie Kirk has shaken this country to its core. It has revealed a deep division that has been simmering beneath the surface for a long time. On one side, there are those expressing grief and sorrow over his passing, and on the other, people openly declaring that he deserved to die.
I can’t wrap my mind around that last part, how someone could believe another human being deserves death. Regardless of whether you agreed with Kirk’s beliefs or his political views, no one should ever be assassinated in such a violent way. His life was taken while he was simply speaking to students, sharing his faith, and spreading truth. He wasn’t wielding hate or violence, he came with words, not weapons.
As I reflect on this tragedy, I’m reminded of the disciples in the Bible. Many of them lost their lives while boldly proclaiming the Gospel. They weren’t killed because they were violent or hateful, they were killed because they carried a message that challenged the world. Charlie Kirk’s death feels eerily similar. It forces us to confront the reality that there is still evil in this world and that truth-tellers will always face opposition.
This event has shown me the dark side of humanity. It’s unsettling to see how cruel people can be, rejoicing over someone’s death simply because they disagreed with them. It’s a reflection of how broken and divided our society has become.
But as painful as this is, I also know that none of this caught God by surprise. He allowed it to happen, not because evil won, but because He has a greater plan that we may not yet understand. Sometimes, what looks like a defeat in our eyes is actually part of a bigger victory in God’s story.
Even though Charlie Kirk’s voice was silenced, his message wasn’t. In fact, his death has amplified his words and his mission. Instead of ending his era, this tragedy has made his voice echo louder, reaching people who may never have heard him before. What the enemy meant for harm, God can and will use for good.
The first thought that came to my mind was to pray, not only for Charlie Kirk’s family but also for the family of Tyler Robinson, the young man accused of taking his life.
Imagine how heartbreaking it must have been for Robinson’s family to turn him in, to face the truth that their son committed such a horrific act. As a parent, my heart aches for them. Their pain is different, but it is still pain.
As followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard, one that asks us to love, even when it feels impossible. It would be easy to cast Robinson aside and label him as nothing more than a murderer. But Jesus never saw people for only their sins; He saw them as souls in need of redemption.
That doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be justice. Robinson must face the consequences of his actions. But even as justice is served, we can still pray for his soul to be saved. Because no one is too far gone for God’s grace. No heart is too hardened for His love to break through.
When I think about how to respond, I ask myself: What would Jesus do? And then, What would Charlie Kirk want us to do? I believe both would say the same thing: forgive. Forgive, even when it hurts. Forgive, even when it feels undeserved. Forgive, not because the act itself was justified, but because holding on to hate only breeds more hate.
The greatest victory that can come from this tragedy isn’t just justice in a courtroom, it’s salvation for Robinson. Imagine the testimony of a man who committed such a terrible act but was later transformed by God’s grace. That would be the ultimate story of redemption.
This tragedy is a sobering reminder that life is fragile and that our time on earth is short. It challenges us to live with purpose, to love deeply, and to cling to our faith even when the world around us feels dark and hopeless.
As we grieve, let us also rise up. Let us pray for healing, for unity, and for hearts to turn to Christ. Let us speak out against hate while refusing to let hate take root in our own hearts. Because in the end, only love can heal this broken world. Only forgiveness can break the cycle of hate.
Charlie Kirk’s life was cut short, but his mission doesn’t have to end. We can honor him by continuing to share the truth he fought for, peacefully, boldly, and with grace.
How do you think we, as a community and as individuals, can respond in a way that brings healing instead of more division?
Holy mess 