It’s taken me a couple days and many rough and deleted drafts to write this. I have so many words, yet none at all. I’ve been sitting with a heavy heart, as many of us have. It feels strange to cry real tears for someone I never personally knew, and yet I’ve found myself doing exactly that. Tears have been shed, prayers whispered, and my spirit has been stirred in a way I can’t quite shake. Charlie Kirk, on September 10th, was shot and killed. Even typing that sentence feels surreal and impossible. And yet, here we are. Charlie wasn’t just a name in politics or commentary, he was a man, a husband, a father, a son, who for years boldly spoke truth no matter the cost. He didn’t shrink back when culture pressed in. He didn’t soften his voice when critics called him out. And in the wake of his death, something is happening. Something is shifting. Millions who have been silent for far too long are suddenly speaking up, about their faith, about their convictions, about where they stand. Evil thought it silenced a messenger, but what it has really done is awaken a generation. God’s message will never be silenced.  

I keep thinking about the reality that all death can do to the believer is deliver him into the arms of Jesus. Wise words by Charlie himself. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t sting, because it still does. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt, because it does in places we may not even be able to pinpoint. But it also doesn’t get the final word. Jesus does.

The truth is, we are living in a world where good is mocked, where evil is paraded as noble, and where truth is an inconvenience. And yet, this is not new. Scripture told us this day would come. Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in Heavenly places.” Friends, this is the reality we are standing in right now. This isn’t just a political war, though many will argue it is. It’s not merely a mental health crisis, though I understand why some frame it that way. This is spiritual. This is the unseen war between good and evil, life and death, light and darkness.

And yet, in the middle of all of it, I’ve noticed how quick people are to make this about sides. I’ve seen the posts start with “I’m not a Republican” or “I’m not a Democrat” before they even share their thoughts. But grief doesn’t need a party label. It doesn’t matter which side of the aisle you sit on, this is a human life. It saddens me how quickly the conversation gets twisted. Many accuse conservatives of having “selective empathy” because we mourn the loss of Charlie loudly, while shootings and stabbings are mentioned less. But I don’t buy that. I know countless believers, including myself, who have prayed over those schools, who have shared the articles, and who have grieved those tragedies. The difference is not the lack of compassion, the difference is in how we respond. We don’t torch our cities, steal, or riot. We fall to our knees in prayer. We worship. We cry out to God and we turn our heartbreak into strength instead of pure chaos. 

And I told myself I wasn’t going to get political here and I just got done saying this isn’t about sides in my last paragraph, but let’s be straight up for just one minute. The issue is not the guns, it is the heart enslaved by darkness. We don’t have a “gun problem” so much as we have a sin problem, a mental health crisis, and yes, a demonic issue. Scripture says the enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy, and sadly, he’s got too many people doing his dirty work. Some of y’all are making it too easy for him to control you. If guns are the problem, then by the same logic, pens misspell words, cars drive drunk, and forks make people fat. A stone in the wrong hands killed Abel, a stone in the right hands killed Goliath. This is not about the stone. 

Now laying down the politics, the enemy thought by taking Charlie down, he’d dampen the courage of others. But here’s what the enemy underestimated, he has awakened a sleeping Church. He has overplayed his hand. He has rattled a Church that will no longer sit quietly in the corner. Because if Charlie’s life proves anything, it’s that silence is not an option. The Word is our weapon, the Spirit is our strength, and Jesus is our banner. And let me say this clearly: to those of you who celebrated his death, who mocked and sneered and posted hateful words online, you are walking in wickedness. You are deceived by darkness. I rebuke those words, that evil spirit, and that celebration in the name of Jesus. It is demonic to laugh at the death of another. It is perverse to gloat over blood shed. And even so, the mercy of God reaches. Because Jesus still died for you. His grace is still extended to you. You still have time to repent. You can mock His people all day, but the cross still stands, and the invitation is still open. Unless, of course you prefer to stay in that wickedness forever, which I definitely do not recommend. 

But this blog is not for them, it’s for us, the believers. The ones who feel the grief, who are stirred by the losses we’ve recently had in this country. I’m sensing a holy urgency in my bones, and I know many of you are as well. Brothers and sisters, it’s time. It’s time to wake up and remove the plank from our eyes. To rise up and shake the dust off and remember our mission that we have. Charlie’s race is finished. Ours is not. We are still breathing, still called, still responsible for carrying the light of Christ into a world desperate for Him. The world doesn’t need another watered down Christian voice that blends in with culture. It doesn’t need our silence. It doesn’t need our comfort zones. I’d rather annoy someone into eternal life than comfort them into Hell. The world desperately and eternally needs Jesus. And if this death teaches us anything, it’s that we cannot afford to play it safe anymore. Evil doesn’t take a break. Evil doesn’t hit pause while we figure ourselves out. If we keep tiptoeing around truth, if we keep hiding in our comfortable space, darkness will just keep spreading. 

But here’s the hope, Jesus is greater. He has already won. The tomb is still empty. The throne is still occupied. And His promise still stands: “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). That means no assassinantion, no evil plot, no demonic agenda will over overthrow the Kingdom of God. 

If you are afraid right now, take heart. If your knees feel weak, lean into His strength. If your heart feels shaken, anchor it in His word. If your soul is weary, remember, Jesus has not abandoned us. He has not and will not forsake us. He has not left us powerless. His spirit is alive within us, and The Spirit does not give us timidity, but power, love, and self discipline. This is our moment not to glorify Charlie, but to glorify the God Charlie pointed to. To live boldly. To speak truth in love. To carry the Gospel into places where it costs something. Because the truth is, you and I cannot save anyone. No movement, no influencer, no personality has the power to redeem a soul. But we can point people to the one who can. Only Jesus saves. Only Jesus breaks chains. Only Jesus heals the brokenhearted and binds up wounds. 

I saw a photo on instagram of Charlie Kirk walking with Jesus. He looked behind him at a microphone that was laying on the ground. He asked Jesus “Do you think anyone will pick it back up?” and Jesus responded “Someone will, Charlie, someone will.” Goosebumps!! Charlie fulfilled his mission and now it’s up to us to pick up that torch, to pick up that microphone, and tell as many people as we can. So many of us are grieving a man we didn’t even know, and how amazing it is to see the impact he had on all of our lives while serving our Lord. 

And so we grieve, but not as those without hope. Because Charlie is with Jesus. His suffering is over, his race is done, and he now knows the joy we are all longing for: to stand before the King and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” One day, by grace, we’ll stand there too. Until then, we have work to do. 

Charlie Kirk’s organization is called Turning Point USA, and I can wholeheartedly say that his mission is complete. Friends, I believe with all my heart that this is an awakening. I feel it, and many of you do too. The enemy tried to silence a voice, but in doing so, he stirred up thousands more. The enemy thought he would destroy the Church’s spirit, but he instead ignited a holy fire. Charlie has opened the way for millions more to speak up and speak out. Through his unfortunate and devastating passing, we truly have reached a Turning Point. Well done. 

• Savanah, The Salty Sunday Co.