Discounted & Overlooked Potential

While not all Christians would side with Charlie Kirk’s political stances, his courageous faith walk can teach us a lot, including those of us whose young adult years are distant memories.

Charlie helped underscore the fact that longevity and extensive formal education are not the only paths to wisdom and intelligence. We can certainly learn from others younger and with less formal education.

Think too about his calling—zeroing in on a population segment many thought unreachable: young collegians immersed in environments openly hostile to Christian faith.

Charlie loved having conversations with those who vehemently disagreed with him. He certainly wasn’t preaching to the choir. He welcomed discourse and invited those opposing him to the front of the line. He typically laid his microphone down while others were speaking. He didn’t win everyone over to his side, but he did his best to communicate respectfully, passionately and effectively.

He didn’t treat young adults only as “our country’s future.” Yes, he knew they had future potential, but he was also keenly aware of their current potential.

Of course, we see parallels as YES! continues to focus on older adults, seen by many as fixed in their ways, past their prime and unreachable. Even within Christian circles, relegating mature believers to Church-of-the-Past pigeonholes—ignoring current potential—is painfully short-sighted.

As older adults we are prone to congregate in our own peer bubbles and echo chambers, staying away from uncomfortable conversations with people who see life differently. 

Let’s work on that. Let’s not be shy about sharing the Reason for our hope, respectfully engaging with those not yet following Christ.  

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

 May we too be known as people courageous in our faith.