The assassination of Charlie Kirk has affected people very deeply. Many of my friends online have posted videos and blog posts about the situation. If we’re being honest, we’re all having a little trouble processing what has happened.

Clearly, America has changed forever. And it’s possible the world has changed too.

I don’t claim to have all the answers, but as I’ve thought and processed over the last several days, I’ve realized a few things that we should take away from this moment in history.

First: Evil is real

We should really have no doubt of this with everything that happens in our world on an hourly basis. But the public execution of Charlie Kirk was shocking in its open display of pure evil. Kirk was not a politician; he was a leader, but did not hold public office. Politicians are often the targets of violence; it’s sad, but somewhat expected. That’s why they have security details. And high-profile private political influencers have security details, but rarely do we see a story about them being attacked. This would’ve been a story if Kirk had just been attacked at a rally, hit over the head with a hammer, pushed down the stairs. But the reality was much worse—and shocked the nation to its core.

Evil took aim on that afternoon without remorse, without fear, without conscience.

In much the same way as on the afternoon of September 11, 2001 – on September 10, 2025 we lost a little bit of our innocence. Some naivety is good. Ignorance is bliss. But those days are gone.

Evil is here, and it is real. This realization affects all of us on a spiritual level.

Second: Evil hates us

One of the first thoughts I had when I saw the news of Kirk’s murder was, “That was me.” I could not get that sense out of my head. It stayed with me. And as I processed that, what I realized was that Charlie Kirk very much represented what I believe and how I live. A believer in Jesus Christ, a conservative, a family man who loves his wife and kids, a man who loves America and who was not afraid to have a debate about the truth. That’s me. Evil hates us.

Not only would the assassin’s bullet have been just as happy to find me, but the people spewing hatred for Kirk and his family online, the myriad of high school and college teachers celebrating his death, would be just as happy if I found the same end. 

Third: We have a job to do

Yes, the state has a job: to ensure justice is served. Yes, the politicians have a job to secure the nation and make things like this impossible. But we as believers have a higher calling. Our job is to shine a light. Our job is to be unashamed. Our job is to be the salt. Our job is to bring good news to the darkness.

Could this be the seeds of a revival that we have prayed for for so long? I’m hopeful that it is. It can be if we fulfill our calling to go and tell. We have a job to do. I’ve been struck, reminded, challenged, and encouraged by that thought this week.

Christian history is filled with martyrs, whose lives proclaimed Christ and whose deaths proclaimed Him louder. Because when someone is killed for their faith, it awakens those who remain and reminds us of what is at stake. It brings everything into focus.

The martyrdom of Charlie Kirk has caused me to sit up a little straighter, think a little clearer, and be all the more ready to give an answer for the hope that I have. May it be with all of you.