“Jesus is enough, you are not enough.” Charlie Kirk
Shock, absolute shock. Charlie Kirk is gone. I can’t help but think of his wife and children who will live a life without him. Since hearing the news of his dreadful passing yesterday, I have done nothing but pray. Pray for the US, pray for the world and try to make sense of this tragedy. In those moments of disbelief and grief, I couldn’t help but stand in utter disbelief in reading some of the heinous comments that were brought forth by the keyboard warriors online. Why? What has happened to people’s hearts? They have become black and full of onerous infection of ugliness. Where has common respect and decency gone? They have retreated to the recesses of our mind and conscience and ugliness has indeed taken its place. Which begs the question, what is the condition of your heart? Proverbs 4:23 tells us to watch over our heart with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life.
Wormwood and Screwtape had vicious hearts
In the book, The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, we are introduced to 3 characters: Screwtape, Wormwood and The Patient. Screwtape is a demon who serves as a mentor to his nephew, Wormwood. Wormwood’s job as a demon is to lure a human called, “The Patient” away from God. Screwtape sends various letters to Wormwood critiquing his work. In one such letter Screwtape shares these sentiments with Wormwood:
My Dear Wormwood:
Be sure that the patient remains completely fixated on politics. Arguments, political gossip, and obsessing on the faults of people they have never met serves an excellent distraction from advancing personal virtue, character, and the things the patient can control. Make sure to keep the patient in a constant state of angst, frustration, and general disdain towards the rest of the human race in order to avoid any kind of charity or inner peace from further developing. Ensure the patient continues to believe that the problem is “out there” in the “broken system” rather than recognizing there is a problem with himself.
Keep up the good work,
Uncle Screwtape
C.S. Lewis wrote those words in 1942. Having read this excerpt, it seems as if he wrote it in the last few years! The letter begs the question, have we traded the state of our heart for destruction? Rather than pointing fingers at one another and hurling insults is it really time to look at the state of our hearts and inner peace?
Our words reflect our hearts
Luke 6:45 tells us that you don’t get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. The health of the apple tells the health of a tree. You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It is who you are, not what you say and do that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds. Is your heart diseased or full of life? Has introspection been brought to your attention recently? How can you check your heart? You must find your source and regular dwelling place.
One idea begats another
Hate produces hate, dwelling there festers a recipe of disaster. Loving introspection and spiritual growth yields a crop of good character. In other words, step away from the comments section, touch some grass and love your neighbor.
You may have not agreed with Charlie Kirk’s ideas and sentiments but can you honestly celebrate the death of a husband and father whose heart wanted to spread the good bits of Judeo-Christian values? I’ve had occasion to watch many of his debates in the past, he always tried to maintain a modicum of respect for varying views. His faith in Christ was at the forefront of his identity. I implore you all to look at your hearts. Pursue decency and respect, wear prayer as a necklace, make it your dwelling place. Tend your heart like a garden, water it with good fertilizer and great care. Let’s grow a bountiful orchard of love, respect and different ideas.
Finally, take a moment to read C.S. Lewis’ timeless work. He had wisdom that did carry through time and can speak to us today. Please pray for the Kirk family, the nation and the world. God Bless.
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