My 30-year-old grandson, Spencer Whiteout, messaged me. “We need to talk.” His spirit was as heavy as mine and wanted to understand the severity that had overwhelmed our nation.
His generation lost a voice that spoke for them. They lost a leader, an exceptional man who wasn’t afraid to stand for his beliefs, but also caused a reaction in the earth that probably won’t be understood for years.
One shot pierced the air and was heard around the world. Unearthing what seemed to be an avalanche of muted voices, a watershed, a turning point and a movement began. Land frozen beneath layers of snow, the earth shook off the blanket of deception and lies, and woke a sleeping giant.
Likened to melting ice moving in a raging river, which had held back it force until now, the climate conditions had changed and the river was unstoppable. Christian voices sounded what had been in their hearts for years, but too reserved or fearful to speak the words. Others found their voice and wanted to be heard.
An AI definition of a watershed moment says, “A watershed moment is a historically important turning point, a significant event that marks a new stage in the development of something and from which things will never be the same … and is used metaphorically to describe a decisive dividing line or critical point in events, society, or personal life.”
This conservative movement jumped its banks and created new streams of living water for thirsty souls. Followers, who hold the truth, will no longer bow to lies. Freedom to speak will have a voice. But wait, where will this raging river find common ground in this next generation? What will their future look like?
A heaviness chilled me to my very soul and wouldn’t let go. I couldn’t shake it off, couldn’t make sense of the event. All I could ask is, “Why? Charlie Kirk was so young, his wife and family so young to be left without him.” There is an appointed time for each person to die. Maybe his mission was accomplished.
A voice for this next generation had been silenced, but the shot of hatred only amplified God’s message and stirred up His messengers. That single shot was like a megaphone placed in the Christians’ hands to give them courage to witness their faith.
I listened to many opinions, glued to the television by a continuing news cycle about Kirk. I had my thoughts, but I needed to hear the Lord’s thoughts. What is the impact of the event that just happened? I am very cautious when I say, “Thus says the Lord,” but my grandson wanted answers. He set a time for us to talk.
I went before the Lord. I needed truth for this 30-year-old. Spencer’s voice for Jesus has always been bold, independent in thought and has always cut through the noise. “What does he need to hear in these uncertain times?”
The words from heaven, which I didn’t expect, jarred me. “Don’t confuse the person of Jesus Christ with the movement.”
I questioned the words I heard. Kirk’s message was clear and pure. He believed in Jesus Christ and his message was black and white. His words were backed by the Bible. I wasn’t questioning Kirk’s character, faith or voice, but the rushing waters that would spill into hearts and minds in this next generation, how will they be received? Where will these streams end up?
It’s easier to join a movement than to follow Jesus. Following Jesus is giving up one’s life for His life. It’s making a commitment to God. It’s changing a lifestyle. It’s turning the other cheek.
When Spencer called, he was on his way to a candlelight vigil. We talked until he arrived at the place where an enormous crowd was paying honor to Kirk. My grandson took a picture and emailed it to me.
Before we ended the conversation, I said, “I don’t know if you can understand this, but right now everyone is in a fever. A passion has been unleashed in them. Everyone wants to believe in something bigger than themselves. God is saying, ‘Don’t confuse the person of Jesus with the movement.’
“I tell you this only because you will need to discern the activity around you. Read the crowds. Discern the spirits. Your faith is strong and steady in Jesus. You have always had the courage to be an outsider and radical. You lost jobs because you told them of your beliefs. You are a voice; make sure it focuses on Jesus. Move with caution.”
This watershed moment will fall on different grounds. “Some fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth … and some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground. ...” (See Matthew 13:1-13).
“You have proven to be good ground. Maintain your faith in Jesus. He is the answer. There is power in the name of Jesus.”
Final brushstroke: The words I heard from the Lord were a warning to walk carefully in this new day. The heavens unfolded like a piece of cloth causing the earth to react. Many ideas and words have falling out, grounding some, turning others away, but planting new seeds in pure hearts thirsty for truth.
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