Is There Truth?

This column is the first one to ever scare me, even before I write it. I’ve been thinking about current events and how I want to react to them. This may anger some of you, or maybe even disappoint you. You need to know that I am ok with that.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk hit me hard. To see a young man with a young family cut down by an assassin’s bullet shocked me, and much of the nation. This was a life full of promise. And it ended because someone didn’t like the words he said.

The first reaction was shock, then dismay, and sadly, it was all followed by rage. Seeing the reactions of some who posted gleeful and hate-filled videos tore me down. I would have felt the same way no matter their political stance.

Like Charlie, I proudly state that I am a man of faith. I am a Christian, and I believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ. I am not comparing the two in any way; I think Charlie would have been offended by that. But I do see the similarities between two men in their 30s who were killed over words they said.

I have been doing a lot of soul searching. I have prayed like I don’t think I have since my son’s life hung in the balance at his birth. But this time I prayed for my country, I prayed for my fellow citizens. And to be honest, I think I prayed for revenge.

We have become afraid of spending time with our own thoughts. A friend pointed out that none of us can be with our own thoughts for any length of time. I felt a pang of guilt, because this describes me to a T. I have often said that writing these little missives is one of the hardest things I do. Reflecting on it now, I can see that it’s because I have to spend time in my own head, with no distractions. I am the first to reach for my phone if I have an extra ten seconds. I’ll check sports stories, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Threads. I play games on my phone. If I go for a run or workout in the gym, I have to be distracted with a podcast or audiobook. And yes, I know I’m not alone. That is the world we live in.

Prayer is harder than one thinks. To devote yourself to nothing but communion with God is daunting. As well it should be. I found myself praying constantly. I have never heard God’s voice, though people I know, love, and respect have. I am always a little envious. But He does talk to me through my family, my friends, and sometimes through you.

I do often feel His presence. And I have this week.

And He did not come to comfort me. He came to show me who I am. That is hard. I am currently reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. If you haven’t read it, it’s letters between a demon and his nephew. It’s fiction, but as with any good work of art, it allows you to see so many aspects of life. Lewis wrote the book in 1941. One of the first things he writes is how distracted everyone is with the non-stop flow of information that is permeating society. Let me repeat, this book was written in 1941.

Wow. This has been a battle going on for 84 years. At least. We like to think life is so different from our past, but they faced a lot of the same issues. Ours may be more instantaneous, but distractions are distractions.

One of my dearest friends allowed me to vent and rage with him. He is one of the smartest and calmest men I have ever known. He listened to me, considered what I was saying and feeling. And then asked me something that stumped me: Is there really any truth?

He pointed out that so much of social media and news consists of half-truths and outright lies. He laid out examples. He also reminded me that the problem with social media is that small voices get magnified to ear-shattering levels. But it doesn’t make it true or common. And the algorithms are designed to provoke a response. Again, God speaks to me through others.

My prayers led me to feel God’s presence, and this is what I felt convicted of. It’s easy as a person of faith to say I’ll pray for you. I think that is what infuriates people after tragedies like school shootings or mass murders. I totally get it, and it makes me feel inept sometimes. This is where being in silent contemplation can get hard. The demon in The Screwtape Letters urges his nephew to try and distract people when they are truly in deep thoughts over serious matters by reminding them they are hungry, or thirsty, or that something is better left to consider later. So I have made it my own mission to stay focused on these thoughts.

It’s my belief that God wants me to pray for everyone, especially those I disagree with. I mean, really pray. Pray that they can release their anger, pray that their loved ones comfort them, and pray that they know they are truly loved. It’s easy to say it, but it is hard to do. I can do it. So I have been.

The author Steven King posted a tweet where he apologized for claiming Charlie said something that he never uttered. My first reaction was to blame King for creating rhetoric that may have influenced this action. But I felt the Lord ask me if I wanted to continue my anger after someone apologized. What would that accomplish? And I know Mr. King has been receiving a lot of pushback, especially from people with whom he agrees politically. I am not going to be angry; I’m going to respect that his heart softened and he did his best to correct a wrong. I hope it leads to him and me, truly considering what we hold to be true in this world.

Jesus’ disciples asked Him what was the most important commandment, and He did list the first one of loving God with all your heart, and then he added something that wasn’t taught during his day: but also to love your neighbor as yourself. That was revolutionary in His day. Loving God helps your soul, loving your neighbor helps your life and your world. At least in my view.

I pray for the troubled young man who killed Charlie Kirk. And I pray for his family. I can’t imagine what turmoil they are experiencing right now. Obviously, I pray for Charlie’s wife and two kids, and all who knew him and loved him.

I pray for those who were filled with joy at this event. That is a dark place to be. I would have the same opinion no matter who the victim was.

My friend asked me what I think, what I know, is true. I told him my love for my family. My belief in what is right, how to treat people, and how to react in victory and defeat. I believe in my faith that I find more truth in books written thousands of years ago than in things written today. I believe in loving your neighbor as yourself. He asked if I thought I could lead a good life with those truths held dear.

I can. I will.

I will stand up for my values. I will not go along to get along. It’s the easiest path, and one that leads to ruin. I will strive not to be confrontational, but I will not shy away from who I am. I will work to help this world be a place where we feel free to believe in our convictions. I will not see violence as the answer, nor will I ever react with joy over someone’s death. If this casts me out of society, so be it. If it costs me my life, so be it. If we are both loving and courageous, there will be someone ready to take our place.

I pray for you. And I humbly ask that you pray for me.