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What does one do when they wake up to find their inspiration, role model, or hero died overnight for their beliefs?

I can answer that. As a 16-year-old female, I loved Charlie Kirk. I loved what he stood for, I loved the way he would debate students in a way that was respectful but also firm, but most importantly, I loved how he put his Christian faith before anything else.

I watched his three-hour-long videos of him debating college students, wondering if he would ever come to Australia. I had questions of my own that I dreamed of asking him. He educated me and taught me how to debate my peers and the people around me. He prepared me for the battle I’m destined to fight as a young Christian.

From Grief to Courage

I was getting ready for school when my parents came into my room to tell me that my hero had died because someone couldn’t handle the truth he was speaking. I began to cry.

Going to school today was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. The first conversation I walked past was negative about Mr Kirk. They were openly saying that they were not sad about his death, and they were mocking him. It took every muscle in my body not to turn around and handle things the wrong way. I knew that, in my state of mind, things would not go well.

Later that day, when I had further processed this tragedy, I began to feel courage. I wanted to be more like him. I wanted to voice the truth and stand up for the truth just like he did.

I had political discussions that day. For the first time in a long time, I talked about abortion with my teacher and peers. They didn’t agree with me, but I continued to talk about it in a civil way. I used Mr Kirk’s results and took so much inspiration from him.

Never again will I stay silent. Never again will I back down. Never again will I cower when it comes to speaking the truth and speaking about my faith with others around me.

I believe Charlie’s death set a fire in all of us. There has been a shift in the atmosphere, and I don’t quite understand what it is. Is it a revival? Am I not the only one who has experienced this awakening? Are others feeling the sudden call to boldness, courage, and politics? The left thought they could silence him, but they’ve done the opposite. They’ve empowered so many others to stand up for truth like Charlie did.

My advice for any young people reading this is to be bold. The Bible tells us we need to be bold, and the Bible tells us we are to go out and bring others to Christ. Don’t be afraid to speak the truth and speak it well, as that is what our God has called us to do.

My advice to any adult reading this is to please not lose faith. Us young people need adults to show us the way. I’ve heard of people losing hope in the younger generation, but all that does is make things worse. Don’t give up. Be just as bold. That is what will inspire us young people.

One of Charlie Kirk’s favourite lines was one we have probably all heard before: “Make Heaven crowded.” That’s my goal.

I have been so empowered that I wrote my first-ever article and submitted it for the world to see. This is my first step—but what’s yours?

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Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.