When Knowing Who You Are Becomes a Matter of Life and Death
News of Charlie Kirk’s assassination landed like a punch to the chest. Whether you followed his work closely or not, you felt it. A life taken, not just a leader lost, but a conviction silenced. In this moment, our grief is heavy, but so is the clarity.
Charlie knew who he was. Not in a superficial, “build your brand” way, but in a deep, eternal, non-negotiable way. First, Charlie knew he was a redeemed child of God. The cross and empty grave of Jesus Christ were not footnotes in his worldview; they were the foundation. His confidence didn’t come from applause or influence, but from being bought with a price and adopted into a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Second, Charlie knew his good gifts. He didn’t just stumble into politics; he was built for it. His Creator had woven logic, word, and people smarts into the fabric of his being. And he stewarded them well. Whether speaking to thousands or sitting across from a skeptic, Charlie was persuasive not because he wanted to win, but because he wanted Truth to be known. He knew God’s design and order mattered, not just in heaven, but in every sphere of earth, including the political arena.
We need to be honest with ourselves: this is sobering. But it’s also clarifying. What kind of kids are we raising? Are we raising children who know who they are, not because of trends or tests, but because they’ve heard and believed the truth about their worth, their identity, and their calling?
This is our invitation and our responsibility.
From an early age, we can equip our kids to:
Understand their story: Every child is made on purpose, with purpose, for this moment in history.
Name their strengths: Whether it's in creativity, analysis, persuasion, or compassion, our kids need help identifying the gifts God gave them.
Use their gifts: Like Charlie, they can practice using their smarts—logical arguments, persuasive speech, or relationship-building—not for attention, but for truth.
Here’s how to help your kids grow into this kind of rooted resilience:
3 Steps for Raising Convictional Kids:
Name the Truth – Speak life over your children. Tell them who they are in Christ. Be specific. Say, “You are kind,” but also, “God made you with compassion for others and it shows in how you care for your siblings.”
Model Conviction – Let your kids see you making hard choices based on what’s right, not what’s easy. Talk openly about budget decisions, boundaries, or why you say yes to one opportunity and no to another.
Create Room for Growth – Let your kids fail. Let them wrestle with questions. Guide them with grace, not fear. Resilience isn’t formed by perfection but by persistence through struggle.
Engage Each of the 8 Great Smarts:
Word Smart – Let them write letters, speak in church, or have guided family debates on current issues. Help them learn how to use their voice with grace and truth.
Logic Smart – Invite them into budgeting, planning trips, or evaluating laws and policies. Ask, “What do you think would happen if…?”
Picture Smart – Let them draw their convictions or create visual presentations of God’s design in nature, justice, or community.
Music Smart – Listen to and discuss songs with meaning. Help them write lyrics or compose music that celebrates truth and wrestles with hard issues.
Body Smart – Encourage drama, sports, or hands-on projects that help them experience truth in motion. Roleplay conversations or act out Bible stories with modern twists.
Nature Smart – Explore the natural world and draw connections to God’s order and creativity. Ask, “What does this teach us about how God designed things to work?”
People Smart – Let them lead discussions, mediate sibling arguments, or host a prayer night. Help them understand influence is a gift.
Self Smart – Give them quiet time and journaling prompts. Ask, “What do you believe about who you are?” and “What’s one thing God might be saying to you today?”
Charlie Kirk’s life reminds us that clarity is not optional. It’s essential. In a world confused by chaos, our kids need anchors of identity and purpose. Let’s help them grow the kind of faith that cannot be assassinated—because it’s rooted in the unshakable truth of who God is and who He made them to be.
And let’s not wait for a crisis to start the conversation. Let’s start today.