Finding Faith in Anxious Times: Lessons from Charlie Kirk's Legacy and the Power of Forgiveness

In a time when our nation seems to be at a turning point, many hearts are gripped with uneasiness and anxiety. The frailty of man without God cannot but fall, as the ancient prayer reminds us. We need divine help to navigate these challenging times.

Two Masters: The Competing Forces in Our Lives

Jesus's words from Matthew's Gospel speak directly to our current situation: "No man can serve two masters... You cannot serve God and mammon." While often interpreted narrowly as being about material wealth, these words have broader implications for our lives today.

What masters are competing for our allegiance? Is it fear versus faith? Vengeance versus forgiveness? Division versus unity? These are the fundamental choices before us in anxious times.

Christ reminds us to "take no thought for your life" and points to the birds of the air and lilies of the field that neither sow nor reap, yet God feeds them. "Are ye not much better?" He asks. This is about trust and faith in God's provision and care.

The Cross as Our Foundation

St. Paul declared, "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." The cross of Christ must be the foundation of our security—our anti-anxiety medicine, if you will.

Our nation's unrest will not be quelled by political victories or cultural dominance. What endures is faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

Who Was Charlie Kirk and Why Does His Legacy Matter?

Charlie Kirk placed his faith above all else, which is why he will forever remain a Christian monarch. His organization, Turning Point USA, sought to restore foundational values to our country by highlighting our unalienable rights granted by a gracious God.

Interestingly, in German, Kirk means "church." Charlie was indeed a living testimony of the church militant—an unabashed Christian who boldly proclaimed his faith in the public square.

The Extraordinary Power of Forgiveness

A week after Charlie's death, people around the world witnessed something extraordinary that transcends political divisions and speaks to the very heart of the gospel. At her husband's memorial service, Erica Kirk said to her husband's murderer: "I want you to know that I forgive you."

In that moment, Erica embodied what C.S. Lewis described: "Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive." She continued, "I pray that this person will come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior."

This is not the world's way. This is the way of the cross.

How Can We Forgive the Unforgivable?

C.S. Lewis explains, "To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." This is precisely what Erica demonstrated. It wasn't a weak dismissal of justice but a supernatural act of grace that points to the greater forgiveness we've all received in Christ.

Erica's forgiveness was not just a personal act of healing but an invitation to her husband's murderer to find the right road—the road that leads to Christ. Beyond that, her forgiveness was an invitation to our nation to put aside vengeance, hatred, and division.

This kind of forgiveness is not natural—it's supernatural. It requires divine assistance, the sort we recognize in our prayers: "The frailty of man without thee cannot but fail."

Living as Christians in a Divided Nation

We find ourselves in a nation deeply divided, where political disagreements have turned into personal animosities and differences of opinion are treated as moral defects. The temperature of our national discourse continues to rise, and violence threatens to become normalized.

But the answer is not to retreat in fear. The answer is to advance in faith—not with the weapons of this world but with the spiritual weapons of forgiveness, truth spoken in love, and unwavering hope.

What Would C.S. Lewis Say About Our Current Crisis?

During the darkest days of World War II, C.S. Lewis reminded his readers: "If we're going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb, when it comes, find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends... not huddled together like frightened sheep thinking about bombs."

For our time, we might say: If we're going to face national turmoil, let it find us doing the things Christians have always done—praying fervently, loving our neighbors, forgiving our enemies, proclaiming truth, and above all, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

Seeking First the Kingdom

The healing of our nation will not come primarily through political solutions. Though politics has its proper place, the deepest healing will come through transformed hearts that have experienced God's forgiveness and are empowered to forgive others.

Jesus concludes with these words: "But seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore anxious for the morrow, for the morrow will be anxious for itself."

At this turning point in our national life, we're called to be like Charlie Kirk—unashamed of our faith, bold in our witness. And we're called to be like Erica Kirk—supernatural in our forgiveness, pointing always to Christ who makes such forgiveness possible.

Life Application

While many are consumed by anxiety about the future, we can demonstrate a peace that passes understanding. While many respond to hatred with more hatred, we can break that cycle through radical forgiveness. While many see only darkness ahead, we can bear witness to the light that shines in the darkness—which the darkness has not overcome.

How do you want to be remembered? When the angel of death comes—and he will come—what will you be found doing? Will you be found praying fervently, loving your neighbors, forgiving your enemies, proclaiming truth, and fixing your eyes on Jesus? Or will you be cowering in fear?

Ask yourself these questions this week:

• What masters are competing for my allegiance today?
• Where am I holding onto unforgiveness that needs to be released?
• How can I be an agent of supernatural forgiveness in my family, workplace, or community?
• Am I seeking first God's kingdom, or am I consumed with anxiety about tomorrow?

Let us be encouragers in this anxious age—agents of forgiveness in a culture of retribution, beacons of hope in a time of despair. Let us never forget that our ancient faith empowers us to show real love, even to those who may seem most undeserving of it.