S82P10 – The beauty of the call: Daniel
Dan. 1:14-17
So the man listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days it seemed that they were looking better and healthier than all the young men who ate the king’s finest food. So the overseer continued to withhold their fine food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables. As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all kinds of literature and wisdom; Daniel also understood all kinds of visions and dreams.
He could not quite explain how he had gotten there, but that was of no real concern to him. All that mattered was that he was in a coveted position, and many others would have wanted to occupy his place. He was working in the right place with the right people. He was seen as an up-and-comer, and he knew that he could have a great future there. One day, things took a strange turn. The boss who previously had commanded respect and obedience now seemed to be asking for much more than that. The young man who had felt called to that place now had a decision to make. He could follow his colleagues and compromise for the sake of his career, or he could draw the line there and risk losing the position he had attained because he instead desired to honor God.
It is expected that the missions to which God calls us will challenge us in order to bring us spiritual growth. Sometimes those challenges will put us in positions which appear to be somewhat of a sabotage. Perhaps God will require us to make a decision which forces us to stand out from the pack, and that can appear to the world like the wrong choice. We must understand that this is merely an illusion. When we walk out the calling of God that means the way has been set by him. We need not fear the scorn of man because of our lack of compromise on issues of spiritual truth. Daniel wanted to succeed in the place where God had put him, but he also wanted to honor God. It looked as if he could choose between one or the other, but the Lord made it so that he could do both.
When we are walking in our calling, when we are living out our godly destiny, we need only be focused on him. When we are faced with challenges which make it seem like it will be impossible to choose God without forgoing progress, we must remember who is running the show. God does not place us in the world to be unsuccessful and unfruitful. He does not call us to do his work so that we can stumble and fall. This is not a set-up. Not only can we do all things through him who strengthens us, but we can do all things faithfully and righteously. That is how He has planned it, and we will find favor when we follow his plan. Father, thank You for giving us the favor we need to honor You in all things as we walk in your calling.