I am not Charlie, but this is my Turning Point!

In the past week, I’ve witnessed moments of great encouragement, but I’ve also seen far too many instances where people use platforms to deepen the divide rather than pursue unity. At the heart of it, Scripture reminds us: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). We are all equal in worth and dignity, not because of our own doing, but because we bear His image.

Yet, the world has tried to redefine that image—an image that is not ours to reshape. The truth is not relative, and as much as culture would like to bend it, God’s Word remains unchanging. “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil”(Isaiah 5:20). We must return to the basics of what it truly means to reflect Christ—humility, truth, and love.

Lately, I’ve found myself in deeper prayer and reflection. What divides us most is not disagreement itself, but the fear of truth, and the unwillingness to disagree respectfully and still carry on as brothers and sisters.

Our nation is full of differing views, but its foundation was grounded on God. It’s time we return to Him, and if we were already turned towards Him, it’s time to turn both shoulders towards Him!

I think about leaders like Charlie Kirk—whether you agree  (which I do) with his views or not—his testimony has drawn countless people to Christ. And while personal sacrifice is never easy, true leadership is often measured by its eternal fruit. What God has done through him is a reminder of what it means to live courageously for truth. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

We need to talk more. We need to disagree more—respectfully. And we must refuse to take the bait of those who stir anger for the sake of division. Instead, we are called to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).

For me, a fire has been lit: to check on my friends more often, to lovingly challenge them, and to remind them of eternity. I can’t make the decision for them, but I can make sure they know this—my greatest desire is for them to know Christ and to one day stand with me in His presence. (It’s my responsibility to seek Him, not because of Charlie, not because of my Grandma, my mom, my pastor, or FIRE INSURANCE, but because I see personally what He has done in my life) I am not Charlie, I am Tug, but I want to thank Charlie for encouraging my mind to be a better man, better husband, better dad, and ultimately lean back in closer to the reason I am here!If you are contemplating your direction of life, it’s time to for a turning point that brings you to Jesus!

Thanks for reading, Tug Taviano Matthew 16:24-25

And to Charlie’s wife Erika, the way you have carried yourself, the way you have spoken, the way that you will continue to show people JESUS in the wake of this massive tragedy, has also pushed me to be a better husband. I love my wife with all of me, and I want to continue to love my family through the lens of how Jesus loves us! I am saddened for you, but I guarantee that you are so proud of the man that you married, due to the way he loved Jesus, and his family!