Back in 1893 Katharine Bates wrote what has come to be known as the Ballard of America – “America the Beautiful.” Here are a few of those amazing lines to this magnificent song: America! America! God shed His grace on thee. And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea! But brotherhood suffered a significant setback this past week with the senseless assassination of Charlie Kirk – the founder and leader of Turning Point USA.
I found it ironic that his death took place only a day before the infamous 911 date where almost 3,000 peoples lives were taken from us. Immediately following 911, it seemed for a time that America could change – perhaps get back to our freedoms and moral footings. Churches were packed and people in unity sang “God Bless America.” But no – the aftermath lasted only weeks before we were back at it again, with even greater violence and decay to follow.
Charlie Kirk was a martyr – he only wanted what was best for this country. He died pushing free speech – something our country fought hard for over 200 years ago. This was an attack on something our nation was founded on! People died so we could have free speech and Charlie died while exercising that freedom. That alone should greatly upset every single one of you reading this article!
I’m in tears as I write this – not only for Charlie and his precious family but for our wonderful America! Can this be America’s turning point? Maybe ~ Someone once stated that history is changed by martyrs who tell the truth. Well…here we are!
We need to safely be able to have a clash of ideas. As Charlie Kirk has said, “We need more courage to debate.” Ya think?! If we have to harm or malign everyone who disagrees with us, I don’t believe our Constitutional Republic will survive. As G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936) so rightly noted: “We shall soon be in a world in which a man may be howled down for saying that two and two make four…and hang a man for saying that grass is green.”
Let’s update that just a tad – people are now “howling down” people for saying a man cannot have a baby. We are throwing people in jail simply for praying on the sidewalk outside abortion clinics, and Charlie was martyred for speaking his mind. This is not right. This is pitiful.
As Christ-followers we are called to be salt & light – but our challenge here is that men love darkness more than light. Isaiah 5 even goes so far as to tell us: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” I don’t know about you, but I sure don’t want to ever be on the “woe” side of God!
How do we change culture when we realize that this is not just a matter of differing opinions or perspectives but a deliberate attempt to redefine what’s morally good & acceptable? As Christ-followers we have been called, not to be a sub-culture, but a counter-culture! That takes guts! It takes courageous faith-filled people allowing their hearts to be broken by the things that break the heart of God.
In short we need a spiritual awakening. Soren Kierkegaard said: “The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins.” History will dictate if this is a
Turning Point for our country. Many have said that Charlie’s death will be the birth of 10,000 more Charlie’s! I pray so.
Of all people, Napoleon Bonaparte acknowledged, “It is the cause, not the death, that makes the martyr.” Yes! Yes!! Yes!!!! Go Napoleon. So what exactly was Charlie Kirk’s cause? Here is something he loved to quote: “It’s all about making heaven crowded!” Absolutely – and last week we added another saint. Selah!
Bob and Susan Beckett pastor The dwelling Place City Church at 27100 Girard Street in Hemet, CA. For more information you may contact them at DPcitychurch.org
