2024_02_02 Insight Post- Julie Christensen

Do you pray before meals? Do you laugh at inappropriate jokes? Quite contrasting questions, huh? How about praying before meals inside restaurants? Or does it depend upon the quality of the restaurant? How about praying before lunch at work when a coworker is seated beside you in the break room? Or does it depend upon your audience? The lions’ den is always what comes immediately to mind when I hear a reference to Daniel. However, while learning more about Daniel this week, I couldn’t help but notice his consistency. Regardless of his location or audience, Daniel did not surrender to any type of pressure.

Daniel remained consistent with his obedience towards God. How often do we adapt our response or reaction dependent upon the situation or audience? Daniel, even coming into a new culture in a foreign land, held steadfast. How often do we feel as if we are in a foreign land as we experience a change in jobs or move into a different neighborhood? Are we holding steadfast to our allegiance to God in those different locations? Neither a royal feast nor a fiery furnace could remove Daniel’s consistent obedience to God. Extravagant jewelry and death via hungry lions did not tempt Daniel either. Without compromise, Daniel exhibited religious loyalty. Is that what I’m displaying in all locations? Am I compromising standards to fit into the world around me? No matter what audience may be peering into our world, may we have the religious loyalty of Daniel.