Pastor Ponderings #172: Captain Kirk

No, I am not referencing Captain Kirk of Star Trek and the exploration of, “Space, the final frontier”. These last few weeks may have weighed upon you as it did upon me and many others. The senseless shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk stirred my spirit in a different sort of way. I suspect it was not because our ideologies align, but rather that we were brothers in arms against a mutual enemy. Charlie was an unapologetic voice for cultural reform, but even more, he was an unwavering voice for Jesus.

It is important to keep proper perspective. Charlie has had a marked influence on popular culture and he lived a courageous life for the Lord, but he is not the Lord. As many have been trying to express their appreciation and respect for Mr. Kirk, they have bordered on idolizing him and granting him a status larger than life. I don’t wish to minimize him in any way, nor do I desire to inflate his impact. I like to think of him as the captain of a sports team. I am not comparing him to the Captain of our Salvation (Heb 2:10); that spot is filled, and Jesus isn’t being traded to another team!

Analogies aren’t perfect, but bear with me for a while. Charlie reminds me of a sports team captain because he is a player on the same team with other players. He is not the only player, yet as captain, he is only a player. He plays with teammates and is a leader among other team members to play an effective game. He becomes an example for other players to pattern themselves after. Similar to Paul where he says in 1 Corinthians 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

The Holy Spirit is like a coach who provides sound instruction from the playbook, the Bible.

John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. Jesus owns the team; he is head over the church. His team is also His bride, for whom He gave His life. God presides over the entire league and will on, the Day of the Lord, declare the winners and losers. Captains in our Christian walk can take many forms. Perhaps a spiritual mentor, close friend, your parent, pastor, youth leader, or Sunday school teacher. Charlie Kirk left a mark on history with a life well-lived, and a race well run. He has been a faithful witness for Christ and a good example for his teammates. As a player on team Jesus, thank-you for your service, captain Kirk.