Be Present.

The most significant thing I've learned from Charlie Kirk's life and tragic death is that being present matters.

He went out resolutely to those who agreed and disagreed with what he believed.

It's one thing to have a website, to blog, maybe even write a book. But nothing - no thing - is more important than dialogue. Not a well-crafted post. Not a one-way communication. Those things are all good and carry importance to lay the groundwork telling who we are and what we stand for. But those things can't take the place of dialogue. They must be conduits that lead to conversation.

I'm reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:1

If I speak in the tongues of men, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol.

We mustn't rest on having the ability to send a post. We need to show up. Get on that Zoom call. Be in a Bible study. Engage with neighbors. It always, always, blesses me. Sometimes I flat out don't feel like engaging with others. My stroke has caused pain ongoing, and my muscles do the opposite of what they're supposed to do. But the plain fact is we are all broken in one way or another and something miraculous happens when we begin breaking down our barriers in real time. We find we're given the opportunity for growth. And change. And real friendship. And love.

So, before we sit down to engage in debates behind cell phones that shield us from relationships, let's instead reach out to love and reason together in loving community. Visit a neighbor. Call a friend in need. Be present.

With our singular voice reaching out to converse we can join the movement that typifies what Charlie clearly and boldly stood for. Community and two-way dialogue - these are God-given gifts. Let's embrace them.