By Leao Tildsley

Something profound struck me the day Charlie Kirk died, it snapped me out of my complacency and brought the words of Jesus back to life:

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)

Last Sunday, my husband stood up in church and said something I can’t shake: darkness is the absence of light, and evil is the absence of God.

For too long, we’ve chosen to wander from God’s path, chasing the myth of the self-made life. Even Frank Sinatra sang, “I did it my way” in 1969, and we’ve been echoing that song ever since.

From reality TV glorifying personal fame to social media platforms rewarding self-obsession, we’ve normalised a culture that worships “my truth” over God’s truth.

The Bible, our manual for life, has always held the answers, yet we’ve opted to forge our own way. Charlie Kirk once said,

Without free speech, there is no such thing as truth.

The moment you silence opposing voices; you destroy the foundation of democracy.”

For Christians, a gun can never silence our voice—it only makes it stronger. As Tertullian said, “The blood of martyrs plants the seeds of the Church,” and those words still ring true today.

Charlie, a young man passionate about delivering truth to a generation that has been told to reject the idea of absolute truth, knew his stance would draw enemies.

Jesus spoke often of suffering, Himself a man of deep sorrow. In his 31 years, Charlie honed the gifts God gave him, wielding them boldly despite fierce opposition.

Just days after his murder, scroll through social media, and you’ll see Progressives mocking his death, laughing at the tragedy.

It’s jarring, but the truth is, we’ve failed recent generations.

In our race to get ahead, with both parents working and chasing success, we’ve neglected our true purpose: our children.

Who’s to blame for raising a generation obsessed with self, where likes and followers define their worth?

We Christian parents have dropped the ball. We wanted the world for our kids, and now the world is what they have.

At just 31, Charlie Kirk left a lasting mark on this world. So, I ask you:

How many years have you lived? What’s your sphere of influence? The people around you, your family, your community need you to be present, to love, to bring light into this broken world. That’s our calling. As heirs with Christ, we share in His glory as sons and daughters of the King, but also in His suffering.

Let Charlie’s life and death inspire us to strengthen our backbones, to find the courage to speak out for what is right and true, even when the world mocks us. Let us love God with all our hearts, boldly embrace His design by getting married, raising children, and teaching them His ways. We are pilgrims passing through, but our lives can shine with intention and purpose.

May the love of Jesus radiate through you so powerfully that, whether you’re here or gone, His love will be etched forever on the hearts around you.