22/09/2025
Last night I watched the funeral of Charlie Kirk, who was tragically assassinated just days ago, and I can’t shake the weight of what I saw. It was one of those moments when the heart feels heavy, but also stirred with something deeper, grief, awe, and a reminder of what it means to live with purpose.
Charlie Kirk, aged just 31, was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University. His death sent shockwaves across the country, sparking conversations about violence, politics, faith and the fragility of life.
The memorial service was held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Tens of thousands gathered, inside and outside, to pay their respects. Leaders, friends, family, and ordinary people came together, and the atmosphere was overwhelming.
What struck me most was how such a large gathering could be commanded by someone so young. To see a stadium filled, overflow crowds outside, and people moved to tears showed that a life, even a short one, can command extraordinary impact. It’s not about how long the years are, but how full they are.
Charlie lived with purpose. He was not just a public figure, he was a man of convictions. His life and his death were intertwined with something bigger than himself. In the service, people didn’t just mourn; they celebrated what he stood for. How he inspired young people, how he sought to make others see something greater. Even in death, his words and his mission will live on.
What also touched me deeply was the message of forgiveness. His wife, Erika, spoke not with bitterness, but with grace, reminding everyone that love and faith outlive hate and tragedy.
As I watched, a question slammed into my heart: What will I be remembered for when I die? We all do well to ask ourselves that. Because in the end, it's not about how many days we get, but what those days meant. Did they carry purpose? Did they touch lives? Did they point others to something true, something lasting?
I pray that each of us lives a life of impact, value, and purpose. Not for applause or recognition, but because living for something larger than ourselves is what turns ordinary into extraordinary. Living for Christ is always worth it.
Even in death, Charlie Kirk’s life is being remembered in tears and silence, in songs and in legacy. Through his life and death, many others have been inspired to rise and live with purpose. May we all choose to do the same.
(c) Sparker Africa