Do not be afraid
A message to us all
Whilst I was journeying this morning on a pre-sunrise walk, the air clear and crisp and the city beginning to awaken, I was met by this welcome message on the pedestrian bridge in Monument Valley Park.
Such a funny thing, this.
As I’ve gone on the walk to settle my mind and soul before Monday’s, work, it as though The Maker sent an angel to remind me of this truth. I recall the many times in the ancient texts where The Maker provides an announcement.
Something was about to happen,
a threshold to be crossed,
an announcement to be made,
a thought to be pondered.
and this is just a Monday.
What do we do when heaven comes to earth?
Apparently, we respond with fear otherwise the message would be something besides, “do not be afraid.“ Perhaps this is a preemptive message for some, but a redemptive message for all.
As we are moved toward the one who is Love incarnate and if we believe that perfect love casts out all fear, why would we not have this posture of fearlessness?
One of the things I noticed as I continued this morning walk, particularly after hearing and seeing this “other than” message, is how beautiful is the Dawn of a new day. The sun at this hour has a particular hue. The leaves of the trees, in their full summer glory, drink it in as if it’s water itself. Birds join in the visual cacophony with their own song and it’s as though creation is happening again. Every day being a new gift from the one who made us all.
It seems as though the invitation to fearlessness is more than just an empty phrase.
More than just words scrawled on an iron beam with a red Sharpie.
It’s something that echoes throughout time to humankind reminding us that we are not alone.
We are not abandoned.
We are not without hope.
We are covered and protected by the one who made us.
So what is it that has pushed its way into your day, bringing fear and trepidation to your thoughts? Listen to the voice of the messengers of heaven, and be reminded that we have nothing to be afraid of.
“Do not be afraid.”
Turning Inward
Fear has always been one of humanity’s oldest companions.
Yet one of heaven’s oldest announcements remains the same:
“Do not be afraid.”
Perhaps those words are less a command than an invitation—to trust that we are not alone, not abandoned, and never beyond the reach of the One who made us.
Questions for reflection
What fear has quietly taken up residence in your heart?
What “bridge message” has the Maker placed in your path that you’ve almost overlooked?
What might change today if you believed you truly had nothing to fear?
Today’s Kingdom Artifact
A simple message scribbled on an iron beam. A reminder of a divine presence manifested through another maker’s making. Morning is often the best time to be greeted by the message—and the messages—of the Maker.
Not a drawing that I’ve made. Still, a message worth sharing.
