What a great piece! There are some things we just don't understand why they have to happen. Just like Charlie's death. I got myself wondering if he knew the night before that he was going to leave this world in a few hours time. Perhaps he would have not gone out that day. He might have stayed home. But I remembered that Jesus assured us that whoever saves their lives will lose it but whoever loses their lives will save it with Him. While that verse may not really be about physical death like in Charlie's case, but he died a long time ago to his personal preferences and comfort. That was why he didn't count his life precious enough to stay back in his comfortable home, even if he knew something might happen the next morning. When the Lord returns and we all unite with our loved ones who has gone ahead of us, we will be able for sure to know whether he knew he was going to be with the Lord that morning. Charlie made up his mind the same way apostle Paul did when he said that for him to live is Christ and to die is gain. It's just that as humans we think about how his two girls and his wife would greatly miss him. I was bereaved just 8 years into my marriage with 3 small children to take care of, and the oldest was only 6 years at the time while the youngest a year and 3 months. There were so many questions on my mind but God gave me a verse from the book of Isaiah 41:10. That has been a source of strength all through the years. On the 29th of October, it will be 20 years I became a widow. God strengthened me and I have so many reasons now to say that no matter what happens as we walk with the Lord, let's make the most of every day and live as if the next minute we may not be here. Just like Charlie did. At the end of our life here, it's those decisions and choices that we made to live fully for the Lord per time that we'll have. May God help us to treasure every single minute to glorify Him with our lives.
Very well said! Thank you! Especially as someone who has suffered immeasurable loss. I am sorry for your loss, and thankful God pulled you through!
Paul told the disciples not to cry for him in Acts 20: 23; “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there,
23 “except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me.
24 “But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace”
In light of Charlie Kirk’s murder this becomes more personal and real. We now see in real time a person who willingly laid down his life for the gospel.
Also thanks for the verse from Matthew 16 about laying down our lives to save it. I think that totally fits. I hadn’t thought of it before you mentioned it.
I love this Joni. It reminds me that in our humanness, we can’t always understand how Romans 8:28 is true in every circumstance. But we get glimpses. And you provided it. Thank you.
Beautifully put! God's wisdom isn't measured by our expectations but by His perfect understanding. Trusting Him means trusting that His goodness never wavers. His way is always better!
Thank you for sharing such a raw and honest reflection. It’s a sobering reminder that life is fleeting, and that even when we don’t understand God’s ways, His plan is perfect. Your words about choosing courage, speaking truth, and living boldly in light of our limited time are challenging but deeply inspiring. May we all take a moment to examine where we’re holding back and step forward with faith, knowing God sees what we cannot. Amen!
I appreciate this post b/c I find myself continuing to ask God why Charlie had to die. But I know that God's ways are higher than mine, His thoughts as well. Last night I found myself in a prayer meeting for this nation. Several people began to pray for the shooter's salvation. At first I found myself a bit resistant to it. But one of Charlie's posts on SM said that we must forgive the inexcusable because God forgave the inexcusable in us. I think he would be glad if his killer turned his life over to Christ. Have a blessed day.
Thank you for those comments. It is a tough thing to reconcile with a God of love. My post came from my own grappling. I do not think it’s God’s perfect will for Charlie to die or for assassin’s to shoot people. I just think there’s a lot of things at work: good and evil. God wins in the end and He is moving towards that goal.
What a great piece! There are some things we just don't understand why they have to happen. Just like Charlie's death. I got myself wondering if he knew the night before that he was going to leave this world in a few hours time. Perhaps he would have not gone out that day. He might have stayed home. But I remembered that Jesus assured us that whoever saves their lives will lose it but whoever loses their lives will save it with Him. While that verse may not really be about physical death like in Charlie's case, but he died a long time ago to his personal preferences and comfort. That was why he didn't count his life precious enough to stay back in his comfortable home, even if he knew something might happen the next morning. When the Lord returns and we all unite with our loved ones who has gone ahead of us, we will be able for sure to know whether he knew he was going to be with the Lord that morning. Charlie made up his mind the same way apostle Paul did when he said that for him to live is Christ and to die is gain. It's just that as humans we think about how his two girls and his wife would greatly miss him. I was bereaved just 8 years into my marriage with 3 small children to take care of, and the oldest was only 6 years at the time while the youngest a year and 3 months. There were so many questions on my mind but God gave me a verse from the book of Isaiah 41:10. That has been a source of strength all through the years. On the 29th of October, it will be 20 years I became a widow. God strengthened me and I have so many reasons now to say that no matter what happens as we walk with the Lord, let's make the most of every day and live as if the next minute we may not be here. Just like Charlie did. At the end of our life here, it's those decisions and choices that we made to live fully for the Lord per time that we'll have. May God help us to treasure every single minute to glorify Him with our lives.
Very well said! Thank you! Especially as someone who has suffered immeasurable loss. I am sorry for your loss, and thankful God pulled you through!
Paul told the disciples not to cry for him in Acts 20: 23; “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there,
23 “except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me.
24 “But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace”
In light of Charlie Kirk’s murder this becomes more personal and real. We now see in real time a person who willingly laid down his life for the gospel.
Also thanks for the verse from Matthew 16 about laying down our lives to save it. I think that totally fits. I hadn’t thought of it before you mentioned it.
Thank you
Thank you also for bringing up Acts 20:23-24. It's worth meditating on.
I love this Joni. It reminds me that in our humanness, we can’t always understand how Romans 8:28 is true in every circumstance. But we get glimpses. And you provided it. Thank you.
Thank you, Dan. Accepting we cannot understand it all is a battle we will return to often.
Beautifully put! God's wisdom isn't measured by our expectations but by His perfect understanding. Trusting Him means trusting that His goodness never wavers. His way is always better!
I tried to thank God in and for everything. When I do, I quickly begin to see his hand, even in the things that happened which I didn’t like.
Amen you're made light to us and many christians following your posts. Am quite inspired
Thank you for sharing such a raw and honest reflection. It’s a sobering reminder that life is fleeting, and that even when we don’t understand God’s ways, His plan is perfect. Your words about choosing courage, speaking truth, and living boldly in light of our limited time are challenging but deeply inspiring. May we all take a moment to examine where we’re holding back and step forward with faith, knowing God sees what we cannot. Amen!
I appreciate this post b/c I find myself continuing to ask God why Charlie had to die. But I know that God's ways are higher than mine, His thoughts as well. Last night I found myself in a prayer meeting for this nation. Several people began to pray for the shooter's salvation. At first I found myself a bit resistant to it. But one of Charlie's posts on SM said that we must forgive the inexcusable because God forgave the inexcusable in us. I think he would be glad if his killer turned his life over to Christ. Have a blessed day.
Thank you for those comments. It is a tough thing to reconcile with a God of love. My post came from my own grappling. I do not think it’s God’s perfect will for Charlie to die or for assassin’s to shoot people. I just think there’s a lot of things at work: good and evil. God wins in the end and He is moving towards that goal.
Thank you very much. Times like these cause us to be reflective, and, when we allow the Holy Spirit to shape us, changed for the better.