Making Sense of Tragedy

by Bob Vradenburgh, Senior Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church

Here at Friendship Christian School our hearts are breaking and interceding for the sweet family of Charlie Kirk, whose earthly life of 31 years was snuffed out this past Wednesday.

His appreciation for Christian education as expressed in a video deeply resonates with us:

“I gave my life to the Lord in the fifth grade at Christian Heritage Academy in the suburbs of Chicago. It really was a series of teachers, and this is the importance of biblical and Christian education.  

At a very young age I was introduced to the gospel. But around fifth grade it was really presented that I am a sinner, there’s nothing I can do to earn eternal life, and I accepted Jesus Christ to be the Chairman of the Board of my life, and [that was] the most important decision I’ve ever made.”

Charlie Kirk joins the ranks of a number of outstanding Christians who did not live past their early 30s – David Brainerd, Henry Martyn, Robert Murray McCheyne, William Borden, and others, but they could say with their Savior, “I have finished the work that God gave me to do.” Their lives were unbelievably full!

It is not how long we burn – but how brightly – that really counts!

Charlie entered into his true life in the presence of Jesus. Let us not forget – the things we cannot see are more real and eternal than the things we can see (2 Cor. 4:18). 

As believers, we do not need to fear death. Charlie quoted this himself:

All death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus.

Though shocked and outraged at the depravity that took his life, we do not have to be filled with bitterness and hate. Love always wins. An assassin’s bullet cannot change that.

Charlie Kirk loved people – even those with whom he sharply disagreed, because he knew so well how much Christ loved him – an unworthy sinner. There will be people in Heaven because Charlie died in such a Christ-like way – forgiving sinners.

So – as we’ve been told repeatedly for the last few days – let’s turn off our phones for a few minutes and hug more tightly our spouse and kids.

But even more importantly, let’s draw near to Jesus! He alone through death has triumphed over death. Therefore, “we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)