Ears to hear (Charlie Kirk)

Hebrews 3:7 “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…”.

This past weekend, our family was together. It was one of the best family moments we have shared in a long time. During our time with one another, we did what many families have been doing in recent days: we talked about Charlie Kirk. Each of us had a story to tell of how Charlie’s tragic death was impacting us personally. I listened closely to my children and grandchildren, knowing that this event was going to have a formative influence on an entire generation – for good or for ill. 

Our conversation eventually settled on one troubling reality that each of us was struggling to understand: the seeming paralysis of the church to help people discern what God is saying in this moment so pregnant with possibilities. We lamented the fact that Charlie’s story was provoking controversy not only in the culture at large, but also in the family of God. Many pastors have said little or nothing about it. Many believers seem bewildered and confused and some blindly spout the political rhetoric of either the left or the right. We all agreed that the response of the church to this tragedy has been disappointing.  

Our daughter Liz revealed that, in an effort to seek God’s help in making sense out of the situation, she had written some of her thoughts on paper. I asked if I could have a copy. Not only was I edified and challenged by what she wrote, but I asked if I could share her thoughts with you. She said yes. Liz speaks as a member of the generation most impacted by Charlie’s death. I pray that her words will enable you to better discern what God is saying to his people today. 

Reflections on Charlie Kirk’s Memorial Service

By Liz (Key) Lind 1

Since the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk, a shift has happened. I think we all feel it. And a lot of people are trying to define it, explain it, or even dismiss it. But you can’t deny it. Whether you like it or not, God is choosing this moment to SPEAK. 

But can we, as God’s people, stop talking long enough to listen to what he has to say? Can we stop arguing, posturing, defending, and even dismissing? And can we humbly stand in awe that he would stoop to speak to us at all?

When I turned on the Charlie Kirk memorial service on Sunday (Sept. 21), I found myself moved to tears at God’s grace. Why would he give America another chance to hear and receive him? Why would he even bother speaking to us at all? We have intentionally and systematically turned from him for so long. We don’t deserve to hear his voice again. And we certainly don’t deserve revival. But here he is. His nail-pierced hands open again, offering yet another chance for us to turn to him. 

God showed up at that memorial service. We heard the name of Jesus more times than I could count. The gospel was presented repeatedly in its entirety – and more people heard it at once than have ever heard it before. And around the nation (and the world) people are turning to Jesus in ways we have not seen in a very long time. Churches were full this week. Bible sales went up. And testimonies are flooding the internet. 

If you are a believer in Jesus who is struggling to accept this because you don’t like the packaging, I am begging you to put your politics and positions aside. Because when God speaks, we listen. When God saves, we celebrate. And when God moves, we join him. No excuses. He’s the King of kings. He’s the Author. He gets to tell the story however he wants.

There’s an image from the memorial service that I will never get out of my mind. At the request of Erika Kirk (Charlie’s widow), the service was preceded by two hours of worship led by some of the best worship leaders of our time. And although the stadium was mostly full and the livestreaming had begun, the service had not officially started. As America’s top government leaders began to walk into the room one by one, worship leader Chris Tomlin stepped up to the microphone to sing these words:

Jesus, your name is the highest,

Your name is the greatest,

Your name stands above them all.

All thrones and dominions, 

All power and positions,

Your name stands above them all.

The camera panned from the worship team to the world leaders as Chris transitioned into “How Great Is Our God,” repeating the phrase “Name above all names” – as some of the world’s biggest names entered the room. And then Chris passionately read these words from Philippians: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:9-11).”

God had something to say. Did we hear it?

If we get nothing else out of this (and God is saying a lot!), let’s remember this: Jesus reigns above every world leader, position, and political party. And he reigns over your opinions – and mine. All is subject to his Lordship. He is the one writing this story. And this chapter feels significant. I just hope we are listening!    

1 Liz is not only our daughter, she is wife to Ben and mother to Josiah, Gabe, and Caleb. She makes her home in Plainfield, Illinois. Liz also serves on the board of OneWay Ministries.

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“Charlie Kirk” by Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0.