The Road To: A Reboot
The road to: A Reboot
This past week, an event forced me to scrap my original plan for this post and start over. When you're "off the grid," unexpected news can hit you particularly hard, and that's exactly what happened to me. After resetting my focus, I decided to write something more personal.
I was returning from a fishing trip in the Sierras, completely disconnected from news and email, when I found out about Charlie Kirk's assassination. After some reflection and prayer, I've found myself processing this senseless act of violence, both as a Christian and a citizen.
As a Christian, I have to admit I didn't know who he was. This has made me wrestle with some tough questions: Would I have gone to one of his rallies? How would I have reacted to him? I consider myself a more centrist Christian, while he was widely described as being on the evangelical side of the spectrum. Regardless of our differences, he was inspiring young people to embrace Christian values, often in a political setting. While I'm not a fan of politics and believe in the separation of church and state, this assassination was absolutely wrong.
As a citizen and military veteran who has been in a combat theater, I now see Charlie Kirk as a champion for free speech. The media is currently filled with heated debates about free speech, but Charlie Kirk was a regular citizen who embodied a principle vital to our nation's foundation. We must continue to discuss and debate, but we must do so guided by Christian values and behavior.
Reflecting on the "Quiet Prayer," I find myself saying, "God, help me to let you direct my thinking, change my mind and my actions.” I’ve prayed for the right words as I wrestled with this blog post and have also wept and prayed for our country. When you've served your country for a few years, you develop a deep appreciation for patriotism, commitment, and service, and you understand that free speech is fundamental to the American ideal. This tragedy has forced me to reconsider what free speech truly means.
I've also thought about what Jesus would say. He taught us to "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." He did not take up a sword, but he did act strongly against injustice in the temple. His Sermon on the Mount offers powerful guidance:
"If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:38–39).
"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9).
What is the role of prayer in all of this? For me, it has been a time of seeking understanding and asking questions. The biggest question I have is, what do we, as Christians, do moving forward to prevent this kind of violence and protect free speech and Christian values? What is our job, Lord?
Does this resonate with any of you? Have you prayed about this? What have you asked God for? I am reminded of Pastor Leanne's "Prayer of Quiet":
Lord,
Draw me into Your presence.
Quiet the noise around me and within me.
Help me to rest, to listen, to be.
Not to change Your mind,
but to let You change mine.
Amen.
Are you, too, asking God to direct your thinking and change your mind?
Praying for you,
PB
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Community Presbyterian Church
32202 Del Obispo
San Juan Capistrano. CA 92675
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