Special Edition
Everything has changed. Nothing has changed.
In all the articles I’ve read following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the comment that resonated most with me was – now everything has changed. Time will tell whether there is any truth to that statement. In the meantime, the Right blames the Left, and of course, the Left blames the Right. Perhaps, nothing has changed. In the immediate future will things get worse? Will there be more assassinations, more senseless violence? Are we in the early stages of the Second Civil War? Should the country split up? Are we in the end times, and if so, what does that mean, exactly? These are some of the questions being raised and wrestled with throughout our country.
I am sure that in the next few days most of the veteran commentators will share their thoughts. Invariably they will denounce violence and call for the country to put aside its differences and find common ground. Some will call for grace and forgiveness. Others, openly or privately, will call upon God’s providence. Overall, these articles will be comforting to some people. But will they lead to meaningful change? Maybe that is too much to expect.
What could possibly extricate our country from this polarized, hateful condition we remain stuck in? Could there possibly be a manmade solution or are we doomed, especially if we continue to refuse to surrender our individual and collective will to God? My apologies for having way more questions than I have answers.
A few thoughts as to how all this is likely to evolve over the next few years. First, keep an eye on the youth. The energy, the talent, the drive, the aspirations of our youth will carve out the future path for our country. Will they find a way to end polarization? Will they learn to discern truth from lies? What core values will they profess and live by? Will they keep the one true God at the center of all they do?
My generation and the generation before have accomplished a lot. The latter saved the world from totalitarianism and built the greatest economic power the world has ever known. The standard of living for the baby boom generation has been the highest ever, by virtually every measure, and is unlikely to be equaled again. But our time has come and gone. We’ve left a leadership void that grows every day. We’ve created the haves and have nots. We’ve lost sight of our traditional core values and created false gods. Our mess is our mess, and we won’t be able to fix it. We are too comfortable with our affluence and too entrenched in positions of power to produce radical change. We don’t have the energy or the will to even try.
But the youth, the next two or three generations have the opportunity to right the ship. In which direction will they turn? Only time will tell. Watch the Christian conservative movement that Charlie Kirk was so passionate about. Will it die out, or will a new leader emerge that will lead it forward? Will the young people who feel socialism is the answer learn the truth about that ideology? Will more youth turn toward God or away from God?
Will they produce a leader who can transcend ideological differences and rise above polarization and the current insatiable thirst for power? Will there be more respectful dialogue between people on opposite sides, or will there be even more senseless violence?
Our future is uncertain. It would be easy to be pessimistic. But I remain hopeful. I know many amazing young people. They’ve already committed their life to their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. They already know how to love unconditionally, and they show this love to others regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation. They have learned firsthand how empowering it is to surrender to God’s sovereign will. Will their ranks grow, will they become more impactful, transformative servant leaders, all to the glory of God? Only time will tell whether everything has changed, or nothing has changed.
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Michael Kayes
*These views are my personal opinions and are not the viewpoints of any company or organization.