Again, “Taken Too Soon?”

Photo by Cheney Orr: Charlie shaping politics for the younger generation.

September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was murdered by an assassin while doing what

God has called him to do. My feelings, my heart, and my world feels shattered and broken. I see

and hear the heart sick pain in many that report this news on TV, and other social media

platforms. For many, he died a hero, which makes the pain a little worse, and I hear in the spirit

of many asking; “Why?” A friend once asked me, “Jon, you need to write a book about -WHY- God takes His effective servants home in their prime.” Charlie was only 31 years old.

Well, I’m not going to ask God why, because I hear Him asking back, “And where were you

when I put the stars in the heavens?” However, in my sorrow and prayers for Charlie’s family

and friends, God has brought comfort…again in reminding me that He is in control, that He has

a purpose and plan, and that through this, Jesus will be Glorified!

In my prayers, as thoughts of this “needless death” started to produce a spirit of anger, God met

me with His Grace and Peace, reminding me that others have died in their prime for His Glory.

He reminded me of Stephen in Acts 6, a young man, a common man, noticed by all, who

displayed personal integrity. Sound like Charlie? “... and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith

and of the Holy Ghost, ...”. Acts 6:5 Just how full was he?

“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.”

Acts 6:8 Wow, now that’s “effective” to say the least! So effective that it turned those who

opposed him to riot. These rioters took Stephen to unjust rulers where Stephen gives his

defense in Acts 7. Then, before Stephen can finish his speech, God opens to him the glories of

Heaven to call him home. We read, “And (Stephen) said, Behold, I see the heavens opened,

and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Acts 7:56

Taken too soon? I guess. Imagine all that Stephen would have done for the early church. And

then I started thinking of all that Charlie had accomplished, his boldness for Christ, his

willingness to get out in front of his world and make a difference. Then my heart melted and I

was humbled with the thought, “What have I done?” “What am I doing?”

However, did you catch what Stephen said? Every other place we read in the Scriptures about

where Jesus is now, after His completed work on Calvary, it states that He is “seated,” or

“sitting” at the right hand of God. But Stephen sees Him “STANDING!”

Now, when I hear of one maybe taken too soon, I don’t question God why this one died. Instead,

I’m questioning; Why am I still alive? Have I not yet caused Jesus to stand like Charlie did?

Folks, live to make Jesus STAND!