Last week’s assassination of Charlie Kirk shook many. It’s been heartbreaking, infuriating, and sobering to see evil take such a public swing at someone who has committed his life to declaring and defending the Truth. Moments like this make it feel like the world is spinning out of control — like darkness is advancing unchecked.
In times like these, I must choose to remember Joseph’s words in Genesis 50.20: “What others have schemed for harm, God schemes for good.” Evil may be scheming, but God is scheming louder. And His plans always trump the enemy.
When I flip on the light in my dark tin shed, it feels chaotic as all the critters scatter. But the light isn’t the problem. It’s actually the solution. The increase in visibility amidst darkness is not proof that evil is getting stronger, bigger, or louder — it’s evidence that God’s light is shining into more places than ever before (John 3.17-21).
Jesus said, “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11.12, NRSV). This is not a call to fear or retreat — it’s a call to courage amidst attack. The gates of Hell are not advancing toward us; they are defensive structures that the Church has been commissioned to tear down. As Paul reminds us, “The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your [the Church’s] feet” (Romans 16.20).
Scripture is a great anchor — it reveals the Father’s plan and heart for His creation and its redemption:
- Romans 8.28: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
- John 16.33: Jesus says, “In the world you face persecution. But take courage: I have conquered the world.”
- 1 John 4.4: “Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
This is not the moment to shrink back. It’s the moment to advance — to pray, to act, and to push back darkness with the light of Jesus.
I was recently reminded that when a WWII fighter was over his target, he received the most flak. Remember, Christians around the world have been attacked and killed since the days of Jesus. It has only been in the last 60 years that Christianity has been attacked in America. Christians pulled out of politics, education, and culture to acquiesce to pressure and misrepresentations of Scripture. It is time to re-engage with politics and culture through intentional engagement with our faith. The first Christians after Jesus and the Christians who founded America did not back down and did not acquiesce.
The reality is, most of us won’t have big platforms like Charlie Kirk. In fact, platforms of millions aren’t actually where change happens. It is in the individual daily, monotonous, and familiar lives we all live (with family, friends, and our local church community) that real change is made in our neighborhoods, cities, states, country, and culture.
This week, ask the Holy Spirit: Where are You calling me to forcefully advance Your Kingdom in my sphere of influence, bringing Your light and hope into the dark and chaotic places of those around me?
God bless,
Nathan
