The Consequences of Staying Silent
If you are anything like me, the events of September 10th, 2025 and the week following were a lot to process.
It’s unfathomable that a man just wanting to have some conversations with people was shot in broad daylight.
The only thing he was armed with, was voicing the truth.
The truth that things need to change in our society in order for it to be spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically healthy.
To me, this was a spiritual attack on the truth. Plain and simple.
I do not think the location of the fatal wound was an accident.
The gunman did not shoot him in the head or the heart.
It was his throat.
To take out his voice.
The enemy wanted to silence Charlie's VOICE.
“It’s the thought that counts” isn’t true!
Charlie could have “thought” the truth all he wanted. But if he didn't share the truth with others, it would have changed nothing. In voicing the truth, Charlie was making a huge impact for Christ.
The same applies to us. We can have all the thoughts we want in our head and all the feelings in our hearts but if we don't voice it, it means nothing.
A short video came across my feed the day after Charlie's death, and the first words on the screen were “My son is alive because of Charlie.”
A 20 year old single, pregnant woman, feeling hopeless, heard Charlie speak when he was also 20. Broken and overwhelmed, she was considering abortion. But Charlie convinced her not to abort her baby. Now, 11 years later she's happily married, has three kids, a business, and successfully homeschools her children.
It wasn't Charlie's thoughts that changed her mind. It was Charlie's voice.
Don't get me wrong, prayer is powerful! Do all the praying!
But sometimes, we also need to raise our voices and speak truth to lost people in this desperate world.
Charlie spoke hope, life, and courage into the life of that young woman. It changed the trajectory of her life forever!
My challenge to you is this:
What is it that God wants you to put your voice to, but you're too scared?
Here at Passionate Purpose School, I use my voice to encourage people to keep going, keep learning, keep seeking God and to never give up. It breaks my heart when I see people give up, that's the burden that God's given me.
I can't keep silent because I wish there would have been someone who encouraged me when I wanted to give up. I needed someone to change my perspective when I was in darkness so now I try to change people's perspectives when they are in darkness. I have a unique understanding of those with chronic illness since that's what I deal with and I'll continue to be the voice they need to never give up.
You might think there are consequences to raising your voice.
I'm here to tell you there are more consequences for not raising your voice. And Charlie knew that so he unapologetically spoke the truth.
Think long and hard about all sides of this idea:
Not knowing something doesn't free you from the consequences of not knowing.
Does a child who touches a hot surface still get burned? Of course. The fact they didn't know any better didn't free them from any consequences.
There are people in your life that don't know the saving grace of Jesus. They won't be exempt from the consequences of not knowing Him when they die.
On the flip side of that, you won't be free from the consequences of not letting them know about Jesus.
You also won't be free from the consequences of not speaking up when God asked you to.
The Bible is super clear about this:
Ezekiel 33:7–9
"Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me. If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to tell them to change their ways, then they will die in their sins, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths. But if you warn them to repent and they don’t repent, they will die in their sins, but you will have saved yourself."
There are people in your life God made you a watchman of.
Are you warning them?!?
And I do not mean accusing them. I do not mean sending them hellfire and brimstone messages, that is NOT what Jesus did to the women caught in adultery for example.
I mean gently but firmly talking to them and speaking truth into their situation in their lives.
Just like Charlie did.
I have a habit of writing little notes in my phone when I hear something said that really strikes a chord with me.
In August, I wrote one that said:
“God, help me be one who steps up when others step down.”
I don't know what I was listening to that would have prompted me to type that little prayer in my phone. But it is indeed my prayer. Not just for me but for you too.
Where does God want you to step up or step in because others have stepped down?
I pray Acts 28:31 over us all:
He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
Who do you need to have a conversation with? I will pray that you will be one who steps up when others step down…that you would share the gospel with boldness and without hindrance.
In passionate purpose,
Dorothy