The day began with nothing to distinguish it from any other. I enjoyed my usual, strong (with a touch of cinnamon), black coffee, as consciousness claimed me. I had errands to run and would leave the quiet comforts of home shortly. However, I had blogged about the horror of the Sandy Hook Massacre, earlier in the week. For no reason, my memory had taken me back to life in Connecticut. Apparently, that’s how my thoughts progressed to a recall of that horrible morning. Then the news of Charlie Kirk’s death by an assassin’s bullet stopped my senseless cell phone scrolling. The 31-year-old husband and father of two was gone.
I hesitated to write about this as others have done so. I felt no need to add to the many eloquent words already expressed. But, as the days unfolded, I felt the urge to take to my pen. My earlier recollections of Sandy Hook were followed by the murder of a young, family man, whose life was taken for having an opinion. A particularly sensitive chord had been struck in the hearts of millions. Vigils in cities throughout the world and prayerful statements on social media have gripped the globe. Yet, cruel remarks celebrating Kirk’s death are heard as well. Compared to impassioned cries globally, those twisted, demonic comments are barely a whisper.
I think a profound wake-up call has sounded in the hearts of many. Partisan lines have been broken. Rather than political fallout, recognition of right and wrong have come to play. While conspiracy theories abound in times like these, more voices are raised in empathy toward a wife turned widow and two small children who are now fatherless.
As one pastor exclaimed last Sunday, “I don’t care what your politics are,” as he appealed to the congregation’s senses of moral decency and tender compassion. Human life has become devalued in the wake of alternate reality through games and movie violence. Desensitization has replaced the God-given core of respect for life. Many clergy have called out the apparent demonic influences of this era in history. Indeed, what is the 21st century going to be remembered for in the annals of history? For decades now, we have witnessed the erosion of the freedom to express opposing viewpoints as many confuse expressing views with imposing them. Raw anger has morphed into terror as people ask, “Who’s next?”
Jesus entered human history and became the sacrificial lamb as he hung on that horrible cross and endured unspeakable torture. “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:18-21) This passage resonates to the believer. Because of Charlie Kirk’s death, believers and non-believers alike are speaking out against evil. Something profound is happening here. I am hopeful.
