There was a moment in 2001 that felt particularly heavy for me. My radio show had just started, and the World Trade Center collapsed. I found myself needing to speak right away, spending the day and night in prayer, hoping to find the right words to express the grief around me.
And then, yesterday, it struck me that I was in a similar situation again. It was September 11, 2025, and the tragic news of Charlie Kirk’s assassination hit hard. A true warrior, he was a friend to many.
In such times, tyranny may fall, but the influence of those like him will rise.
Words often feel insufficient in moments of tragedy. Yet sometimes, sentiments from the past resonate deeply. In 1947, Dylan Thomas penned moving words as he witnessed his father’s decline, words that echo well beyond his own personal anguish.
Do not go gentle into that good night. / Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Thomas implored his father to resist the encroaching darkness, and those lines became a rallying cry for many. It’s a reminder to not give in, to resist the shadows even when victory seems elusive.
Charlie Kirk knew the risks associated with sharing unpopular truths. He felt the backlash from those wanting to silence him but stood firm, embodying a rebellion grounded in conviction rather than mere anger.
Carry his legacy forward
Our nation’s roots lie in the defiance of figures like Washington, Jefferson, and Adams—individuals who understood the potential consequences of their actions, including the threat of death. Lincoln stood against slavery. Martin Luther King Jr. fought against oppression. Every era has its calls to action.
Now it’s our time. The violent loss of Charlie feels like a serious blow, but if his existence means anything, it’s this: we cannot remain silent when faced with darkness.
He did not succumb quietly. He spoke up. He fought back. Now, the responsibility rests with us. With you. With me. For every American.
We cannot linger in silence amidst the shadows. We must act as freedom hangs in the balance. This moment calls for courage—not hatred or revenge, but the strength to stand firm. We must reject apathy, despair, and lies. There’s always something we can do.
Even the smallest acts can shine light in dark times—acts of kindness, faith, and rebellion. We must reach out to the grieving and speak truth in a sea of deceit. These are flames that can push back the night. Charlie carried the torch, passing it on yesterday. It’s now ours to uphold.
The darkness may be profound, but dawn always follows. Commit to not slumber as freedom diminishes. As darkness encroaches, resolve not to retreat. I will not remain silent while evil attempts to take control. My allegiance is in Christ alone, just as Charlie did.
Two crises generations apart
On Wednesday, the world shifted once more. Two tragedies, separated by decades, raise a crucial question: Who are we? Is this worth fighting for? What kind of individuals will we be?
Imagine if more among us chose to spread peace—not passively, but actively building bridges while others erect walls. Even the staunchest adversaries respect such individuals. Charlie embodied this ideal.
He didn’t attack the vulnerable; instead, he challenged those in power. He spanned divides of politics, culture, and faith. He prompted healing—something our nation desperately needs.
At the center of this is a fundamental truth: all individuals are Children of God and merit dignity. Real change won’t start in D.C. or on social media. It begins at home, where loneliness and isolation can threaten our spirits. Family, while imperfect, serves as a potent source of stability and purpose.
Forgiveness, fidelity, honor—these aren’t just empty words; they’re the cornerstones of civilization. Strong families lead to strong citizens. Today, as we grieve for Charlie, we must also see him as part of our extended family. We must protect his legacy and embody the valor he displayed.
A time for bravery
I knew Charlie. I understand how he would want us to react: to take up his mantle of courage. From tragedy, tyranny may fall, but remarkable influence can rise. From darkness can emerge grand, glorious things, but we must be deserving of them.
Charlie lived fiercely, grounded in truth. He changed the landscape of our world. Now, the torch is in our hands—not for the sake of anger or violence, but for the steadfast pursuit of truth and goodness. We should rage against the loss of the light.
