The Importance Spiritual Fitness
On August 22, 2025, Iryna Zarutska—a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee—was fatally stabbed in a random, unprovoked attack while riding the Charlotte Blue Line light rail home from work. She had come to the United States seeking peace and opportunity, working at a local pizzeria and studying English at a community college. Her life was stolen in a moment of senseless violence, and her death has sparked national outrage and calls for transit safety reform.
As heartbreaking as this event is, it also serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable nature of violence and the importance of being mentally and physically and spiritually prepared.
Gun owning Americans often see the firearm as the magical tool that will solve all problems, but for an immigrant on a public transit rail, the opportunity to legally carry a firearm was probably not an option. Even if she had a firearm the attack happened in such a way that she would not have been able to save her life with it. The entire incident from the time she was stabbed until she loss consciousness was less than 30 seconds. There was absolutely nothing anyone, even if an armed bystander or medic could have done to save her life. But there are some things she might have done differently before the attack that may have. We will cover those in our Tactical Mental Training section below.
The Assassination of Charlie Kirk
On September 10, 2025, the political landscape of the United States was shaken by the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA. Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University during the kickoff of his “American Comeback Tour”. The attack was carried out from a rooftop 142 yards away, and ended the life of a man who had become a defining voice for young conservatives and a spiritual inspiration for many.
On September 9th, Charlie Kirk posted a powerful tribute to Iryna Zarutska. Kirk’s final post read:
“America will never be the same.”
Just hours later during his speech at UVU, Kirk was engaging with a student about mass shootings when a single bullet struck him in the neck. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with blood pouring from Kirk’s neck as he collapsed under a white tent adorned with slogans like “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong”. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after.
Kirk’s death sparked a wave of reactions across the political spectrum. President Trump called him “Great, and even Legendary,” while Democratic leaders like Gavin Newsom and Gabrielle Giffords condemned the violence. Utah Governor Spencer Cox labeled the killing a “political assassination,” underscoring the growing threat of politically motivated violence in America.
Kirk’s tribute to Zarutska has since taken on a haunting significance. His call to action—urging Americans to confront the failures of the justice system—was tragically echoed in his own death. The juxtaposition of his final plea and his assassination has reignited debates over crime, gun rights, and the role of political speech in a deeply divided nation. But what is not up for debate is Charlie’s Spiritual Fitness.
One of the most poignant and well thought post on spiritual fitness was a post from from my friend and fellow Boondocks firearms instructor, Kevin Jones. We would all do well to read and follow his advice below.
Yesterday and today we are reminded of the fragility of life in a broken world ravaged by evil. Pundits, media figures, and hosts of “ordinary” people have been posting their thoughts and emotions. As a pastor of a local congregation and a person who trains people for personal protection in the classroom, on the range, and in the dojo, I want to share some thoughts that I hope shed more light than create heat.
First, death is universal and real. (Hebrews 9:27) We will not leave this world alive, and we will be confronted with the reality and devastation that death brings. Death is not a potential reality. It is a certainty. The timing of our deaths is unknown, so we must be ready to face it at all times. Freedom to live is the direct result of preparing for death. As a Christian, I cling to the words of Jesus recorded in John 11:25,26, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”
**Second, though we often delude ourselves, we actually have very little control over the hour and manner of a deaths. We can certainly make prudent choices, and we can do all that we can to limit our exposure to dangerous circumstances, but despite all the training and precautions we take, death comes anyway. When death comes, what will we be doing? (Carefully read Matthew 24:46.) Since you don’t know when this life will end, be sure you are constantly pursuing the good. Charlie Kirks’ final moments on earth were lived doing what he was called to do – – – challenging a broken culture and sharing the hope of the Gospel. The moment Charlie’s physical life ended, he stepped into eternity and the arms of His Savior, Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:8) **
Third, how are we responding to this heinous, barbaric act? Michael Bane, a journalist, frequently describes the rhetoric and political discourse all to prevalent in our culture as “chumming for monsters.” Chumming is the practice of spreading pieces of fish and blood in the water to attract predatory fish. Incendiary, hyperbolic language is chumming. Over-heated rhetoric attracts the monsters among us to act like predators and to act on the words being thrown about. Are you chumming? Are you blowing off steam, using threatening, intimidating, dehumanizing language in your conversations or posts? If you are, stop it and do better.
Life is fragile and precious. Cherish the moments you are given, and consistently pursue what is noble and true. Love your people, freely forgive, let go of offenses, and commit to making your life count for something bigger than yourself.
