Mercy’s Crown
A Tribute to Charlie Kirk, in Jesus’ Name
On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University.
I remember where I was when I found out.
I put everything on hold.
I cried.
And I cried.
And I cried.
At one point, I was recording an early take of Mercy’s Crown, and I actually recorded some of that weeping. Those cries still exist in one of the original recordings.
Maybe one day they will become part of another version of this song.
I don’t know yet.
What I do know is that the experience was surreal.
There was deep, mournful sorrow over a human life violently taken, over a wife losing her husband, children losing their father, and a world once again witnessing what hatred can produce.
But strangely, in the middle of that grief, I also experienced something else:
an encounter with Christ.
And eventually, that grief became music.
The Crowns
Around that time, a friend told me about what some Christians refer to as the five crowns described in the New Testament.
👑 The Incorruptible Crown (Imperishable Crown)
Given for determination, self-discipline, and victory in the Christian life.1 Corinthians 9:24-25
👑 The Crown of Rejoicing (Crown of Joy)
Given for evangelism, discipleship, and leading others to Christ.1 Thessalonians 2:19, Philippians 4:1
👑 The Crown of Righteousness
Given to those who live in anticipation of Christ's second coming and love His appearing.2 Timothy 4:8
👑 The Crown of Life
Given for remaining faithful to Christ through severe trials, persecution, or martyrdom.James 1:12, Revelation 2:10
👑 The Crown of Glory
Given to spiritual leaders and pastors who faithfully shepherd God's people with humility.1 Peter 5:1-4
As I began studying them, I couldn’t help reflecting on Charlie’s life.
I am not claiming to know which crowns Christ will place upon another man. That judgment belongs to Jesus.
But I can look at the biblical descriptions and recognize qualities that make me stop and think.
Perseverance.
Public witness.
A longing for Christ.
Investing in people.
And something I found particularly striking: shepherding.
Charlie wasn’t a pastor in the conventional sense. But from what I’ve subsequently watched, read and heard from people who knew him personally, I believe he demonstrated something deeply pastoral in the way he invested in, encouraged and mobilized people.
Pastor Josh Howerton’s reflections on Charlie have particularly challenged me in this area.
But ultimately, this song isn’t about making Charlie the hero.
Jesus is.
Why “Mercy’s Crown”?
The central idea behind Mercy’s Crown is surrender.
Not earning salvation.
Not building our own righteousness.
Not becoming important enough that God owes us something.
The opposite.
Each day I lay my burdens down,
I trade my pride for mercy’s crown.
The cross reminds me I am His,
My only boast — His righteousness.
The paradox of following Jesus is that the way up is down.
We surrender.
We decrease.
Christ increases.
We die to ourselves and discover life in Him.
That’s why the chorus says:
I lay me down, down, down,
For mercy’s crown deep down.
The more I fade, He reigns,
Forever Christ remains.
John 3:30 captures the heart of it simply: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
And eventually the song reaches the resurrection:
The tomb is empty, I’m made new,
The blood has spoken, life breaks through.
No fear of death, no guilt, no shame,
I rise to life in Jesus’ name.
That became particularly meaningful while grieving someone who had just died.
Because Christianity doesn’t pretend death isn’t horrifying.
It declares that death doesn’t get the final word.
Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 15 is ultimately not confidence in ourselves, but victory given through Jesus Christ.
This Is My Tribute
I didn’t write this because Charlie Kirk was perfect.
He wasn’t.
Neither am I.
And this isn’t ultimately about canonizing a political figure or asking everyone to agree with everything Charlie ever said.
It’s about what his death stirred in me.
Grief.
Reflection.
Surrender.
And a renewed awareness that our time here is short.
So I want to use mine well.
I want to love people well.
I want to proclaim Christ without being ashamed.
I want to create.
I want to serve.
And when my own race is finished, I don’t want the story to be about the kingdom I built for myself.
I want it to point to His Kingdom.
Mercy’s Crown is my tribute to Charlie Kirk, in Jesus’ name.
And above Charlie, above me, above the song and above every earthly platform:
Jesus Christ remains King.