Charlie Kirk's most difficult lesson
What do we do now ... and why ... is most important
The image I keep replaying in my mind is not of the video of Charlie Kirk being brutally murdered on a college campus in Utah, but an earlier clip of his loving daughter running to him on the set of a news program.
Look at the smile on Charlie’s face. Feel the love in the heart of that girl. Burn this scene into your mind and into your soul.
From this, we can only imagine the heartbreaking moments that we will never see, nor need to see, namely, that of Charlie’s children being told that their daddy is never coming home, because someone used deadly force to silence him.
It’s easy to feel angry right now. It’s easy to declare war on some group, ideology, or political party. It’s easy to take note of the hate-fueled reactions on social media celebrating the death of a father and husband and to greet this ill-placed joy with vengefulness.
This is what evil wants.
Whoever or whatever that is.
Throughout history, evil has always taken human form. Evil does its evil deeds and then leaves us to do the rest of its bidding, quietly in the background, cheering as humans inflict yet more violence and vengeance on those who “deserve” what they’re getting.
A single, inhumane act leads to more of the same. Quickly comes the rationalization that it is virtuous to be the settlers of scores, the arbiters of truth and justice, declarers of war.
Yet Charlie taught that we could have civil conversations with one another about difficult topics, that we could walk away more informed and understanding of each’s positions, and that we could all be better for it.
He taught us that it is OK — even necessary — to sit on a public stage and be challenged on our opinions and beliefs. He died doing this.
Now comes the hardest lesson of all, one that maybe Charlie, a man of faith, did not expect to teach: that it is OK to do what Jesus instructed in this instance:
You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:38-48 NKJV
We cannot presume to know what Charlie would say to his children about his assassin. We cannot know what words of wisdom Charlie might share regarding those who are celebrating his death.
But we can choose what we do going forward.
Be heartbroken. Be angry. Be disgusted. Be scared. But don’t reward evil with more evil.
Keep Charlie’s stage open. Keep fighting for freedom. Keep sharing your ideas and values. Keep hearing what others have to say. Be kind. Be loving. Be compassionate. And in doing so, don’t allow any one or any thing to take away your humanity.