Day 264 Never Surrender

 

9/21/2025

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your

neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your

enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate

you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you."

Matthew 5:43-44   

 

In 2007 William Paul Young wrote a novel called The Shack, and in 2017 a movie was released by the same title, based on this amazing story of redemption. It's the story of a man, Mack, who experienced the tragic loss of his youngest daughter at the hands of a serial killer. Although Mack's wife was a strong believer in Christ, Mack struggled due to some problems he experienced in his childhood that remained unresolved with occasional nightmares still in his adulthood. After the loss of his daughter, Missy, Mack began to experience a deep depression, so he was slowly pulling away from his family. His older daughter was the hardest hit, because she thought that her father blamed her for her sister's death. One day Mack received a mysterious letter in his mailbox inviting him to the shack where Missy's murder took place, but her body was never recovered. This is the story of Mack's encounter with God, the Father; God the Son; and God the Holy Spirit at this place.

Later, Young put out a series of videos called "Restoring the Shack," that answered the questions asked relating to his reason for writing the novel, that although fiction, was inspired by incidents from his own life. It is well worth the time to listen to these compelling accounts of Young's journey with grief and tragedy. The movie was met with criticism from some, because the character of God was first played by a female, yet she was called Papa, as that is the name Nan, Mack's wife called God, based on her close Father-daughter relationship with God. I don't want to go any further with my synopsis of the movie, as it would ruin the story line for any who have not read the book or seen the movie. It is quite well done, and it answers the question, as much as is humanly possible, of why God allows suffering, especially when it involves innocent children. In the end, we have to trust God, because as the scriptures say, He knows infinitely more than we could ever hope to imagine. One day we will have our answers, when we meet Him face to face. For now, we trust Him, because we know that He loves us and has given His all for us.

Today I attended online the memorial service for Charlie Kirk. I did have the opportunity to attend in person, but honestly, it was hard enough watching it from the comfort of my home. The worship was powerful, and the atmosphere was inspiring. It's really difficult to find words to express what I felt, because God was present in the words spoken, emotion shared, songs sung. At the same time, people will be people who applaud at the wrong times or move around, and because of the length of the service due to all who were asked to participate, people were milling around during short intermissions. Many noteworthy guests came to pay homage to Charlie, including our President, Vice President, and several of the administration who spoke and countless members of his administration and Congress who did not speak, but they were there to honor the memory of this amazing young man. 

I've spoken so much about him in my blogs, posting many articles and videos on Charlie's life, sharing his love for his God, his family, and his country. He wanted to be known for his courage for his faith. Each time he spoke before an audience or met on campuses with students, he knew that he was putting his life on the line for Christ. He loved what he did, and he cared about each person, even when they were rude and insulting to him. He always thanked them, and one time he apologized that religion or the church had let a young girl down. He said he hoped it could be made up to her one day. He called her by name and said he would pray for her, and I'll bet he did, because he never forgot. He truly loved these young people, and he wanted the best for their lives. He wanted them to have a life like he had. The most touching part of the memorial was when his widow, Erika, spoke about their relationship, meeting him, their marriage, children, dreams, and their plans for the future. She was weeping during this time, naturally, but at the end, after praying for the strength to do so, she forgave Tyler Robinson for murdering her husband. This was the moment when my heart rejoiced, as I prayed she'd be able to do this, even though it is the most difficult thing she would be called upon to do, as a believer. Jesus said that if we do not forgive another, then God would not forgive us. And sometimes, especially in cases like this one, it is so impossible, inconceivable to do so. I thank God for her courage, but I know that there will be many times when the enemy will replay it in her mind, or media will remind, or a well-meaning person will bring it up, and she will have to lay it down at the foot of the cross all over again. We must pray against a root of bitterness that is like poison to the soul. But she is strong in her faith, as Charlie was, and today he stands beside Christ His Savior, forgiven and redeemed.

In The Shack Mack is so angry with God for not saving his daughter's life from this monster who brutally murdered her. So, led by Jesus, Mack is taken to a cave where he meets another character in the story, and Mack is questioned, and God is put on trial, judged by Mack. When we are angry with God, questioning Him about why He allows things to happen, we are putting ourselves in the position of judge. It reminds me of when God confronted Job, who has been asking the same questions of why? Ultimately, we must come to the place where we realize we can never know the answers. There are those who think they know, but not really. For me, this movie helped with some issues I had in my own life. I didn't understand how I could give birth to three children, miraculously I later discovered, only to have them encounter so much hardship and pain, still to this day. I cry out daily wishing things could have been different, and while some of it could have been, much was hidden, and there is nothing I can do now, except pray that God in His mercy and grace can make good from the evil. I know for myself, and I have testified many times, that God gave me an amazing life in spite of my failures, wrong decisions, and the incredible hurt and disappointments. I can only hope somehow He will allow me to finish the work He gave me to do.

Charlie accomplished so much in his life, beginning at the age of 18, when he was turned down from attending West Point, his dream, but God had a bigger one. He accomplished amazing exploits in 31 years, and he helped to shape the lives of countless young people who can now take the baton and finish the race. All over this country, and all over this world, lives have been and are still being challenged and transformed by this young man's desire to enable young people, young men especially, to be a part of government, making a difference in this nation, so that they could marry, have children, train these children in godliness and truth, and live in a peaceful world, where community existed and people helped each other grow and in turn accomplish greater exploits. He wanted young men to know Jesus as the only way, the only truth, and the only life, and to be leaders in their homes, loving their wives as Christ loved the church, and gave His life for her. His faith in God was his guide, and because he was faithful to God, God blessed him immeasurably. Now Erika has the baton, along with all the other Turning Point USA members all over the globe. I can hardly wait to see what God will do!

I've said this before, probably countless times, but never give up on your dream. If God has birthed something within you, don't let anything stand in your way. God opened doors for Charlie when he had no money and no prospects, but he was determined, and he was fueled by his faith in God. That's all you need. "Never surrender," says Charlie. "Go and do likewise," says Jesus.