Weekly Musing - Pat

A Week -

One week two events. The assassination of Charlie Kirk and a visit with a dying young woman.

The death of Charlie hit like a punch in the gut. To be honest I didn’t know why. I saw a few of his videos, agreed with him on some issues and disagreed with him on others.

To say this week was difficult is an understatement. I don’t know about you, but for me it was a week filled with emotions so raw and numerous I ran out of words to describe them. Sorrow, sadness, brokenhearted, anger, hate, revenge. It felt like they hit me all at the same time. Processing them all seemed impossible. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to. In some weird way they felt justified and even comforting.

But God!

Today (Friday), God beckoned me to a conversation. It started with a question, “I wonder what Charlie would say today?” A picture took shape of Charlie being embraced, enveloped in the perfect love of Jesus. The One who Charlie loved and desired to serve. Then I heard familiar words, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Charlie’s death is not the only one to grieve, there have been too many of late. Precious lives taken too soon. Children, adults from both sides of the political aisle, a young woman seeking safety in America. I am also sorrowful for the ones who carried out what feels unforgivable.

Now the second. Friday evening I visited with a young woman who has known little joy and devastating physical illnesses. At 24 she had a stroke which caused her to suffer life-threatening illnesses. At this point she has pneumonia and is intubated. Unable to speak, with trembling hands she wrote out her thoughts and questions. The following summed up everything, “I’m afraid to go and afraid to stay.”

Is there hope, a cure, a way to continue in the midst of so much hatred, death, and fear?

What if we shared the really good news of the gospel?

• You were created in the image and likeness of God.

• God accepted you long before you ever thought about accepting Him and even if you never have.

• Jesus became flesh to live as you so you could live as Him.

• As Christ is in this world so are you.

• You were crucified with Him and given His life in His (your) resurrection.

• You are new creation.

• You are loved with no reservations or limitations.

• You are completely and forever forgiven. Past, present and future. Even if you never ask.

• You are cherished, desired and longed for.

• You have been given everything for life and godliness, the very life of Christ.

• There is no fear in perfect love and God IS perfect love.

• God’s love keeps no scorecard.

• God’s judgment is not to punish but to restore and reconcile.

Last, I also believe Charlie did one thing to be admired, he would talk to anyone and everyone. We need to connect with each other and not on screens but in person. We need to look into each other’s eyes and talk to each other, to participate in civil discourse and once again engage in critical thinking. We can agree to disagree but still care for each other and respect the life of God that lives in each of us. And practice love by sharing the forgiveness we have all been given.

I believe Charlie will one day meet and welcome the one who took his life the same way he was, with an embrace of perfect love and joy!

I shared with my young friend God knew she’d had a painful and difficult life. That He had always known her, loved and accepted her. She need not fear for the best is not behind her but waiting for her, that she will be whole, healed and enveloped and embraced by pure love. She will forever walk, dance, and fly free in unspeakable joy!

The ultimate good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ - LOVE. The hope, the cure, the way to continue on!