Arise, O Sleeping Giant

“I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve.”This quote, from the 1970 film Tora! Tora! Tora!—based on the events of Pearl Harbor—is attributed to Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. It came after Japanese forces bombed Pearl Harbor, with the realization that America would now enter the conflict of World War II.

Yesterday, September 10th, 2025, our nation was shocked by the news and videos of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. This heinous crime was committed in broad daylight while he was peacefully expressing his political and religious beliefs. This tragedy leaves behind young children without a father, a young wife without a husband, and many grieving people who were encouraged and inspired by his courageous words.

And this comes in the wake of many other tragedies plaguing our nation—from the earlier assassination of Mark and Melissa Hortman, to the stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, to numerous school shootings, including the one that occurred in Colorado yesterday. As Christians, we condemn all of these as horrendous, sinful acts of evil. We mourn with the families of the victims. Scripture calls us to “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15).

Yet even in the midst of mourning, the truth remains: the gospel of Jesus Christ will NEVER be silenced. In fact, attempts to suppress the boldness of Christians—such as the killing of Charlie Kirk—only serve to embolden God’s people to rise up and proclaim His gospel all the more loudly. As Tertullian famously said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”

This is not a victory for Satan. He will not prevail. I firmly believe that through this tragedy—just as in the tragedy of 9/11, twenty-four years ago—the Church will arise and continue to advance the Kingdom of God. The light of Christ ALWAYS overcomes the powers of darkness. Darkness does not have the final word. Jesus does. His Kingdom marches onward:

“The prince of darkness grim, We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure; One little word shall fell him....The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still; His Kingdom is forever!”—A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, Martin Luther

Christian, may we awaken and arise in this moment! We will not retaliate with hatred, but with the love of Jesus Christ. This is our moment. It is not a time for despair, nor for violent retaliation. We carry the peace of Christ in our hearts, but the boldness of lions through the power of the Holy Spirit. May we heed the words of Romans 13:11–14:

"¹¹ Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. ¹² The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. ¹³ Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. ¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."

The powers of darkness may think they have silenced a voice—but in doing so, they have unknowingly awakened thousands. The sleeping giant is stirring. Christian, your voice is needed. People need to hear the love of Jesus Christ. They need to know there is a better way than despair or violence. They need to witness the boldness of Christians rising up in the millions. We are not silent. We are here, and we are not going anywhere.

We will “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” fending off wolves and welcoming in broken lambs. I am hopeful that the powers of darkness have awakened a sleeping giant and filled him with a glorious resolve—to see a generation of men and women boldly proclaiming the gospel and advancing the Kingdom of God.

So Church, arise, O sleeping giant, arise!

-          PZ