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To say that the past few weeks have been a little crazy would be the understatement of the decade. The events of our world and more specifically our nation have been nothing short of culture transforming, and I have been pondering all of it. As a pastor, I have felt the need to speak and write on these topics, foremost of which the murder of Charlie Kirk. I always feel it is my duty and calling to “Shepherd the flock among” me, as 1 Peter 5 states, and that must include the categories of politics and culture.

When this event first happened, you may remember that we discussed it in church during our time of prayer. Even then I had the burning desire in me to say more and write an expose on the matter, but I sensed the Holy Spirit holding me back, telling me to wait and see. All the glory and credit here goes to the LORD, because I did NOT want to wait to comment on this. In today’s manic news cycle talking about something that happen more than a week ago is practically having a beginning a conversation on ancient history, but (again not to my credit) I obeyed and waited. Boy was I glad I did!!!

To see the results of this assassination have been nothing short of astounding. I cannot possibly mention everything in the short amount of page I have here, so allow me to give you the highlights. First, you have Turning Point USA receiving more than 121,000 applications of new chapter requests for college and high school campuses all over the United States. Second, you have hundreds, if not thousands of people on social media chronicling their journeys back to church or going for the first time. As well as scores of people talking about reading the Bible for the first time and giving their lives to Jesus. Most, if not all sight the reasoning being the murder of Charlie Kirk and the example of faith he gave during his life. Lastly, and most important we saw the gospel being preached by pastors and politicians alike and then lived out by Erika Kirk in pronouncing publicly she forgives the man who killed Charlie. Between Fox News, TPUSA streaming, and attendance more than 100 million people heard the gospel.

We are seeing in real time the words of Jesus come to life. In the parable of the Sower, Jesus tells a story of a seed that falls on good soil, dies, and produces a crop of 30, 60, 100 fold. The death of Charlie Kirk and the life of faith he lived out, proclaiming the gospel is like that seed. God is using it to produce a massive harvest in our country, all for His glory.

With just one “seed” God has caused over 100 million people to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed, folks are turning back to the church and God’s Word is being read, and studied all across the country. Now let me be clear, I am in no way saying that God cause Charlie to die. What I am saying is that God is using this tragedy to bring out His glory. As Romans 8 says, God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. I don’t think Charlie Kirk could have ever imagined the ways that God would use his life and death for His glory.

Now from all this I’ve been pondering something and asking myself this question. After watching God move in incredible and massive ways, using the seed on one man’s death to bring about such a harvest, what things need to die in me to bring about a harvest of glory in my life for the LORD. The Parable of the Sower is all about the Word of God being planted in a person and how it does or does not take root. But I’ve been thinking there are things in me that I want/need to get rid of in order to “make room” for things of the LORD. If God has brought about all this glory from this awful tragedy, what habits, thoughts, deeds, words, patterns in my life need to be “crucified with Christ” as Paul says in order that a glorious harvest may come forth.

God is in the business of resurrection. So if the things that are holding me back from following the LORD with all my heart die, He will bring out a glorious harvest in me. Jesus says that if we are going to follow Him we need to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. That sounds like dying to me.