I want to share my thoughts with you today with all that’s going on in our country. My husband and I have followed Charlie Kirk and admired his work and willingness to stand for his faith and our freedoms in a loving way. Wednesday was a difficult day for many of us as we awaited the news following his assassination attempt. While many were praying for a miracle, Charlie had passed to his eternal reward.
For those who did not know Charlie Kirk, they do now know of his life and work. The images of his beautiful wife and precious children interacting with him will continue to touch our hearts and minds.
Charlie Kirk spending time with his family. He said if he ever ran for elected office, he wanted to revive the American family.
His passing is a tremendous loss to many college students who attended his college campus tours. Their questions were encouraged, debated, and answers shared in truth and love, even if he disagreed with you. Many found answers. Charlie Kirk clearly made a difference not only in many people’s lives.
We might ask, “Why this waste of a godly life?” It’s the same question many asked years ago when five missionary men were speared in January of 1956 while attempting to share the gospel with a savage Auca Indian tribe in Ecuador.
I can’t help but feel compassion for Charlie’s wife and children. How will they continue without him? These young children will grow up not knowing their father. Then I flashback to an interview I did with Elisabeth Elliot and her family a few years before she passed. I learned much from researching for this interview and chatting with her daughter, Valerie, and husband, Lars. The more I learned, the more my faith matured.
Did these five men know the risks they were facing? Yes, and so did their wives. Of all the pictures shared with me for this interview, the one that gripped my heart was the picture of the mission leader sharing with the five widows that their husbands had been speared. Their young children and babies were in their laps.
Elisabeth and Jim Elliot were both called to missionary service at an early age. They married in 1953. Valerie was born in 1955, and she was 10 months old when her father was speared. The story of these five slain missionaries was carried throughout the world by two articles and pictures in Life Magazine. The bold faith of these men and their wives sent shockwaves throughout the world in January of 1956 and inspired thousands to take up the baton and follow in missionary service.
Elisabeth was a mere 28 years old when her faith was put to the test. Rather than cower in fear as I might have done and retreat to safety back home, she pressed on in her obedience to God’s call on her life. Here are her thoughts when looking back:
“I just felt that God was in the whole thing, and there wasn’t anything that had happened that was not in the Providence of God.”
Elisabeth was a radical Christian in her day. Instead of returning to the comforts in America, she took her daughter, Valerie, and joined Rachel Saint to work with the Indian tribe that speared her husband and his comrades. Nate Saint, Rachel’s brother, was one of Jim’s comrades who was speared. Their actions painted a picture of forgiveness to the world, who was watching with anticipated breath. As I mentioned earlier, Life Magazine documented the entire tragedy as it unfolded. They credited the missionaries’ mission of forgiveness with propelling the evangelical missionary movement in the late 1950s.
Elisabeth set her goals on living for eternity, and that carried her through many tough trials in life. As Romans 8:28 tells us:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Yes, this great tragedy had an impact on the world and a huge influence on the Kingdom of God. Fast forward, and we discover that the Auca Indian tribe eventually came to Christ. The 2006 movie, “The End of the Spear,” produced by my friend Kevin McAfee, portrays this moving story of God’s plan from the beginning to reach this savage Indian tribe and call many to take up the baton and serve as missionaries.
And what of the missionary child raised in the jungle with her mother? Valerie Elliot grew up in the faith of her parents and married another missionary kid, Walter Shepard. Together they produced eight children, served as missionaries in The Congo, and served as a pastor and wife shepherding many people. It’s clear this jungle child did not fall far from the tree! Valerie says, “I learned to forgive fearlessly and love tremendously.”
Valerie Elliot Shepard with the book she wrote about her life in the jungle of Ecuador.
Jim and Elisabeth Elliot’s lives and witness continue to impact people nearly 70 years later. Only God knows what He will bring from this tragedy with Charlie Kirk—for his wife, his children, and our country. Never doubt that God is sovereign and has a plan and will use all things for His eternal purposes.
Martyrdom—the dying for one’s faith and beliefs—is something I would be exposed to as a trustee of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention that I served on for eight years. Before my appointment as a trustee, I’d rarely heard this term. Frankly, I’d never thought much about it. However, that was about to change. As I learned and witnessed how God works in this world, God opened the doors I wanted shut for me. I ended up going into countries where paying a price for your faith is commonplace . . . unheard of in the United States.
Through my dad, Harry Dent‘s ministry to Romania, I’ve walked with the men and women who came out of the underground church and paid a price for their faith until the communist walls came down. Some of their friends didn’t make it and paid the ultimate price. I’ve been to China, where church attendance remains hidden in underground churches. I’ve even sat at the feet of and worshipped with famed underground church leader Samuel Lamb in China.
Ginny Brant with other ladies in Samuel Lamb’s underground church in China. He is probably the man of faith in China who was punished the most for his faith.
But it was my trip to the Middle East in 1997 that would leave the deepest impression on my life. As a trustee serving on the Middle East Committee with the IMB, my position took me to the dark corners of the Middle East in Yemen. When I entered this country, I felt completely out of place. Nothing felt safe to me. Yet, humanitarian workers serving as doctors and nurses from the IMB were there serving as the hands and feet of Jesus.
My initial entry to this country was harrowing. After arriving at 4:00 am in heat reaching 115 degrees, I started sweating bullets when my luggage was the only luggage selected to be searched. And it contained contraband—Arabic Bibles. I was greatly relieved when those Bibles hidden underneath my undergarments were not discovered. The missionaries warned me that rabid dogs were rampant, and malaria was spreading. They had me at rabid. All around me were men and boys with machine guns and jambiyas (which are large daggers or knives) draped across their chests. Now you may be thinking, she’s kidding, right? Nope. I still have my jabiya, which was given to me by a leader in Yemen.
Ginny Brant in Yemen in 1997.
Once I arrived at the hospital in the mountains, more bad news was shared with me. The airline employees decided to strike, which meant I was stranded. Meanwhile, threats had been made against the hospital by a group named “Al-Qaeda.” Welcome to Yemen—right. Honestly, all this news had surpassed my definition of fear. And I was looking for somewhere to run and hide, but there was no place to hide in this forbidden land.
That night, I awakened to machine gun fire that catapulted me out of my bed. I ran into the nurse’s room with whom I was staying and said to her in desperation, “What’s your definition of safe? Because nothing here appears safe to me.”
This young nurse put me in my place and answered gently and calmly, “Safety is being in the middle of God’s will.” words I would never forget.
I paused while still trembling and thought, “I know she’s right,” but fear overcame my thoughts and speech.
I spent days with these saints as they continued their calling amidst the threats and harsh conditions. They simply prayed, took precautions, and kept working. And I Iearned to walk in their footsteps. Since their faith greatly exceeded mine, I felt safer walking in their footprints. I had a round-trip ticket back to a safer America; they had a one-way ticket to serve no matter the cost.
After the airline strike ended, I was finally able to leave. The hospital administrator said to me, “Ginny, don’t worry about us. Pray for us because we know that God has called us here for a purpose. And if that means dying a martyr’s death for the sake of the gospel, we are willing.” More words I would never forget.
I’ll never forget awakening to the news on December 30, 2002, that three of our missionaries at that hospital were killed by a man influenced by Al-Qaeda. My heart ached for these three servants whom I’d met in Yemen and for all our personnel serving there. How would they go on? How would God use this tragedy? None of our missionaries left. No one gave up. They kept living their calling, and God used it to spread the gospel in that country. The people of Yemen loved these missionaries so much, they made their caskets with their own hands and lined the streets to show respect for these medical workers who’d saved their lives. Many shouted, “Truly, they are of God.”
We’ve had it too easy in this country for many years. We’ve been blessed with prosperity, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech. We have churches on every corner and Bibles on almost every shelf, not to mention all the Christian books and commentaries to make studying the Bible easy. But what have we done with all these blessings?
Charlie Kirk came to Christ at an early age like the Elliotts. He was well-versed in his faith and stood for his faith in a loving and convincing way. He was bold like Jim Elliot and his comrades. He faced much opposition and threats like the missionaries in Yemen, Samuel Lamb in China, and the men and women in the underground church in Romania. Like them, he knew the risks yet answered the call of God on his life. God will take care of his family. And God will use all things in time for His greater purpose.
Most of my life, it’s been reasonably popular to be a Christian (except during my college and high school years). Times are changing in America. The day may come when we will have to stand for our faith. Will we take up the baton—step in the footprints of those like Charlie and others who’ve walked the path before us? Or will we cower in fear and remain silent. I pray not.
Why? Because we need more Charlie Kirks willing to stand in the gap. And because “Safety is being in the middle of God’s will.” Charlie did everything in love as we should. And may we like Elisabeth Elliot be forgiving as we live out our faith.
Now what does this have to do with Unleash Your God-given Healing? This blog exists to help you prevent and fight cancer and othes diseases with lifestyle changes. Those lifestyle changes include dedication to family, a vibrant faith, using your freedoms to serve God, and caring for your body/temple so you can serve God more effectively. Hatred, vengeance, and unforgiveness are not signs of a vibrant faith, and they only damage our health. May Charlie’s life bring out the faith and boldness that he lived before us, so we can stand for our faith and live it out genuinely before a world that badly needs God’s hand and healing power.
My heart is also broken for the family of Tyler Robinson. Those involved in this crime must be brought to justice. But as a parent, I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to turn in your own son. Pray for this family as they face unimaginable and difficult days ahead. I remember the words of Valerie Elliot Shepard, “I learned to forgive fearlessly and love tremendously.” Retaliation, hate, unforgiveness, and bitterness only hurt those who hold onto them. It’s forgiveness, love, and peace that are proven to enhance health and well-being. Charlie Kirk himself said, “Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. Forgive without limit.”
I was encouraged after hearing Charlie’s wife, Erika speak last night. She spoke with poise and grace as she promised that his legacy and ministry will not die. She realizes that God is sovereign and knows what all this means even though we don’t. She knows that God will work all things for good for those who are called according to His purposes. Her husband’s mission will be unleashed as never before. It sounds like we’ve got ourselves another woman with the faith, strength, and courage of Elisabeth Elliot.
Charlie wanted to be remembered for his faith and his courage. I’ve never seen such accolades for a life well-lived. May his life and work continue to be carried by social media and our media just as Life Magazine did for Jim Elliot and his comrades. Charlie Kirk will not be forgotten.
Thank you for your time.
May God bless and heal our country.
Related Articles:
Tribute to Three Heroes of the Faith
Elisabeth Elliot: A Life of Living God’s Sweet Aroma
View this message on YouTube:
A Tribute to Charlie Kirk: Safety is Being in the Middle of God’s Will
For Your Health,
Ginny
Ginny Dent Brant is a speaker and writer who grew up in the halls of power in Washington, DC. She has battled cancer, ministered around the world, and served on the front lines of American culture as a counselor, educator, wellness advocate, and adjunct professor. Brant’s award-winning book, Finding True Freedom: From the White House to the World, was endorsed by Chuck Colson and featured in many TV and media interviews. Unleash Your God-Given Healing: Eight Steps to Prevent and Survive Cancer was released in May 2020 after her journey with cancer and was recently awarded the First Place Golden Scrolls Award for Memoirs, a finalist in Serious Writers Book of the Decade, and Second Place in both Selah Awards for Memoirs and Director’s Choice Award for Nonfiction at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference. It recently received the Christian Authors Network’s (CAN) Gold Award for Excellence in Marketing for reaching 62.5 million people with a message of cancer prevention and survival. It was written with commentary from an oncologist and was featured on CBN’s Healthy Living Show, Atlanta Live, and CTN’s Homekeepers along with over 75 media outlets. Learn more and cancer and wellness prevention blog and book information at www.ginnybrant.com. Ginny is on YouTube
Invite Ginny to speak at your church or event and view her speaking brochure
Link to buy book at Unleash Your God-given Healing
Click to sign up to take Conquering Cancer Course
Ginny is a cancer coach. Make an appointment to meet with her:
**** This content is strictly the opinion of Ginny Brant and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Ginny Brant nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program. ****
You might also like
