This past week has filled many of us with a myriad of feelings. I’m ashamed to say I could have been wiser when it came to posting on social media. Watching the assassination of  Charlie Kirk rocked many Christians in this country. Yet as hours passed, it became evident: the wheat and th chaff were separating. An action I experienced up close and personal. So let me ask … have you lost friends yet?

It’s confusing at the jump to say that Charlie was killed because of his political leanings. While he was a powerhouse, creating Turning Point USA at eighteen, His intellect, his humility, and his constitutional knowledge and passion for his conservative position on civil topics, he was so much more. What many learned over the past week was how unwavering he was on his love for Jesus Christ.

He stood steadfast with Jesus. 

As I watched several instagram and Youtube recordings of his exchanges with students, it was abundantly clear that he cared for college kids. Truly cared. He debated, but never fought. In fact, he would often quiet the crowd to have them show respect to student at the mic. He modeled how to share a dialog. He was truly amazing and the nation is feeling the loss.

Looking over several posts on social media, a saw where a few stood proud on Charlie’s assassination. However, more shared processing their grief out loud. There was anger at the senseless loss. Then … slowly (and especially after his widow, Erika, took to the stage), I watched as people began internalizing what this meant for them personally. While Charlie’s death rocked many to their core, they slowly turned their focus away from their pain and back to Jesus.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28

I watched as this activity was going on around me. Hmmm, I thought. Good for them who are learning to put God first.

Then, out of the blue, a “friend” sent me a highly controversial a Youtube tweet about a man spewing hate toward Christians and their “propaganda”. I asked this person if they realized what they sent me was hateful, and did he realize I was a Christian as well. Then I said, “If you don’t know I’m a staunch Christian, then I’ve failed. If you sent this tweet to hurt me, then I question our friendship.” This person said, “If you condone the Christian stance in the YouTube for any reason, then we are not friends.  Choose wisely …”

This note caught my breath. To be honest, initially, my feelings were hurt. How could someone not like another person because of who they believe. Then I felt incredible peace as I remembered Jesus’ words:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
John 15:18-19

I know now, more than ever, that this is a spiritual battle.  My eyes have been opened to the hatred around me in a grand way. This week I’ve realized when I focus on Jesus, I am not moved by the opinions of others who don’t have my best interest at heart.

I know now, more than ever, that this is a spiritual battle. My eyes have been opened to that in a grand way.
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Do you see what’s happening around you? Have you lost friends yet? Are people asking you to “choose wisely”? Or, more seriously, do your friends even know you’re a Christ follower? I am more confident than ever that my days are limited; more days are behind me than wait ahead of me. How I choose to live these few days is precious. Yes, I intend to choose wisely.

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.
Proverbs 4:14-15

Watch who you stand with. I hope you do as well.

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