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Herald the fearless!

Phil Togwell, 24-7prayer base leader, UK

“Tell them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near,” says the miracle-worker, Jesus of Nazareth, as they sit and eat together in one of the believers’ homes.

Andrew and Simon and the other disciples listen silently, in nervous amazement, as Jesus explains that he is sending them out into the neighbouring villages “to heal the sick, to raise the dead and to drive out demons.”

“Is the Teacher not coming with us?” whispers Thaddeus to John sitting beside him, hoping for some reassurance.

As he continues, Jesus senses the growing apprehension in the room. He stops talking, and closes his eyes for a moment’s silent prayer… “Father, are they ready for this?” Opening his eyes once again, Jesus studies his disciples, his friends. He looks deep into their eyes, one by one, and sees… fear, yes. But trust, also. Jesus smiles.

“Do not be afraid of them,” he says softly. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul… you are worth more than the many sparrows who are subject to my Father’s will… So do not be afraid.”

“other people. According to the Bible, fear is the opposite of love.

When Kelly packed the few belongings she hadn’t sold into her tiny car and drove to the Mexican border, she knew that God had called her to a place called Boystown, a walled red-light area in a Mexican city, to love the prostitutes and their children, but she had no idea how to start. For the next 15 months, she prayed and walked around outside Boystown, only venturing in twice. She prayed and walked and prophesied ‘good news’, and eventually, after 15 months, she began to make friends with those who lived inside the walls.

She’s still there now. But now, she has a tiny, sweaty 24-7prayer room in the centre of Boystown. She has also just led one of her friends, one of the prostitutes, to Jesus – probably the first in 150 years. And she has great hopes and dreams for the future. She is full-of-love for God and these people, and emptied of (almost) all fear.

Fearless people, love-full people, change the world, bit by bit.
It is the hopeful dreamers, the visionaries, the people who yell “why not!?” at impossible challenges, those who are willing to risk the ridiculous and the dangerous, the brave-hearts and the fools-for-Christ, who actually change the world.

Most of us, however, are like Superman, hiding our true fearless, love-full, new-creation identities beneath culturally conforming, Clark Kent clothes. We try to fit in, fearful of being rejected. And yet, all we really achieve is invisibility. We do our best to hide…

…and meanwhile, the whole of Creation, Paul tells us, cries and groans for us to be revealed! (Romans 8v19). “COME ON!” cry the nations of the Earth, “SHOW YOURSELVES!”

It is hard to live fearlessly when we are assaulted by reasons to be fearful every day – ten minutes in front of tonight’s BBC News will bombard you with stories of terrorism and global warming, debt and abduction, identity-theft and viruses… we are persuaded to fear almost everything – but Jesus looks you and me in the eye, deeply, and whispers softly, “do not be afraid of them… don’t let them kill your soul…”

Just as he sent his twelve friends, Jesus is sending a new generation of dreamers, of visionaries, of fearless, love-full disciples out into the towns and villages. He sends us to go and heal the sick, and raise the dead, and drive out the demons… to announce, “the Kingdom of Heaven is here!” And we must go.

Fill us with love, Jesus, and free us from all fear.

Everyday Open Doors seeks to strengthen Christians living in the most hostile places on the planet to be faithful followers of Christ and bring his hope to the lost around them. Be involved in what we do and spread the word…

Phil Togwell is UK base leader for 24-7prayer