Fear Not, Acknowledge Jesus and Aim for Heaven by Dr. Joel Woodruff, President On FaceTime, I saw tears stream down the young Christian college student’s face as she realized that an assassin’s bullet had struck down the life of the husband, father of two small children and fellow follower of Jesus Christ, Charlie Kirk. In response to the hate, violence and horror of this pre-meditated murder broadcast for the world to see, she had turned to Psalm 46, which begins, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” (NIV)his was also the passage which Charlie’s wife, Erika, had posted on her social media page hours before this tragedy occurred. By meditating on God’s Word, this young student found some peace, but there were still some deep lingering questions as she and I wondered aloud, “As a Christian, how can we make any sense at all, out of this evil act?” As we reflected and prayed about this, I was reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 10: 28-32, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell… Fear not… So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (ESV) Prior to Charlie’s death, I had heard a variety of opinions about his political views. So, rather than listening to the bias and hyperbole of the pundits, I decided to watch for myself some of his interactions with college students on YouTube. To the many whom Charlie inspired and even some of his critics, he was viewed as a man who tried to treat people with respect regardless of their ideological differences and valued freedom of speech and religion in society. A welcome approach in a vitriolic political climate. But more importantly, he was fearless and winsome in sharing his faith in Jesus Christ and freely used the Bible to bear upon the issues he was addressing. Was he perfect, or did I agree with everything he said? No. But we’re all in the same boat as Paul the apostle so clearly stated, “All have fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Yet, it was clear that Charlie had put his trust in the saving work of Jesus on the cross for his salvation. His passion for Christ and the Scriptures had become preeminent, over and above politics or any other issue on this earth. C.S. Lewis wrote in his classic, Mere Christianity, the following, which reflects Jesus’ words in Matthew, “Aim at Heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in:’ aim at earth and you will get neither.” As the college student, my daughter, and I wrapped up our conversation, we concluded that in the midst of a fallen, chaotic and confusing world, Psalm 46 and Jesus’ admonition in Matthew 10 provide the comfort, strength and hope we must depend upon and return to regularly. We wrapped up by praying for Charlie’s wife, Erika, his two children; asked for help in forgiving the killer and praying that he would turn to God’s mercy as did the thief on the cross; and praying that God would take what was meant for harm and redeem it in the ways that only God can do. We also prayed that we might fear not, acknowledge Jesus and aim for heaven. | 
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