Don’t Be Afraid

                              Spring in Arkansas, Photo by Laci Hill Culpepper

“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.”

The words of Frederick Buechner inspire me. Just spending a few minutes watching the news tells me that his words are true – beautiful and terrible things will happen.

It seems to me that “terrible” is winning. Children live in poverty. Families live in their cars and under bridges. Refugees are fleeing for their lives from Syria.

Then there are the beautiful things all around us . . . the brilliant sunrise, the purple and pink sunset, the sound of rolling rivers, the crashing of the waves of the sea. And there is so much more indescribable beauty in this world.

But the crux of all of this is found in the words, “Don’t be afraid.”

Enjoy the beauty of your world, face all the terrible things that come your way, but don’t be afraid.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
– Isaiah 41:10 (World English Bible)

Please enjoy the hymn “Be Not Afraid” on YouTube at this link:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?autoplay=1&v=dWpG7qHtB8g