Made of Mettle: Living Courageously in Turbulent TimesSample

Courage to LIVE WITH CONVICTION

Do you remember the feeling when everything happened just as you had planned? You felt like you were in control, you were satisfied and there was a sense of accomplishment. I suspect that there may not be too many incidences like that in your life. There is always an unexpected traffic jam, an unreasonable team member, an unnecessary technical glitch or an unwanted delay. Things do not usually happen the way we plan for them.

Some of these incidences may be considered trivial and hence ignored but some incidences are extremely vital. We feel that our plans in such times should have come through but they didn’t. Times such as these give us a sense that we are in the midst of a raging storm, that we are surrounded by turbulent waters and there is no escape.

The life of Daniel brings light in such turbulent times. The Bible introduces Daniel as a young man with a royal heritage who was taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. As a Jewish royal he would have had privileges and comforts. He was allowed to dream and make plans and work towards accomplishing what his heart desired. And then one day everything that he was familiar with came crumbling down as he was led away as a captive into unfamiliar and foreign territory. He had to spend the rest of his life under pagan rulers.

How did Daniel navigate such turbulent times? What did he do when his plans came crushing down? We get our clue from Daniel 1:8 (Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine…)

The word “resolved” is a very powerful word. When we resolve to do something, it is very difficult to deviate from our trajectory. Daniel was determined that he will not “defile himself”. This verse throws light on how Daniel was actually able to navigate such turbulent times - He had the courage to live with his convictions.

As a captive, how difficult would it have been for him to live with his convictions especially when he was being pressed from every side?

Let us pause to think about the context surrounding Daniel’s life. God had not protected him from this turbulence. This was disappointing! The Jews had rebelled and now they were being punished. The penalty of those who rebelled was being borne by those who were faithful. This was unfair! He was in a new country with a new culture, he had to learn a new language, familiarize himself with a new cuisine and he was also given a new name. This was intimidating!

Daniel’s context was awfully difficult but that did not alter his convictions. He was still determined not to defile himself and dishonor God.

His enemies tried to change everything about him but they could not change what he stood for. They changed his culture but not his character, they changed his name but not his identity, they changed his food but not his standards, and they changed his language but not his faith.

Daniel (and his friends) had the courage to live with convictions. And God honoured that. They looked healthier and were wiser (v 15-17) and in every matter of wisdom and understanding they were 10 times better than all the magicians and enchanters in the whole kingdom (v 20)

To live as a captive was definitely not what Daniel had planned for. His plans did not come through, his dreams were shattered. He may not have had a plan B. But he teaches us that when we have the courage to live by our convictions then it is possible for us to thrive even if we are surrounded by turbulent waters.