Seven ways to distinguish yourself

 Seven ways to distinguish yourself

 

This post is inspired by the Bible story of Daniel in the Lion's Den (Daniel 6). However, when I surveyed the story I saw more than that and my eyes were fixed immediately on the character of Daniel and who he was. I realized that this man was peculiar. We too are called to be like Daniel. Daniel was in an unpleasant situation as the people who should know better plotted against him. Daniel demonstrated nothing less than distinction and this is what God expects of us regardless of our circumstance. I Peter 2:9 says “but you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” God expects you and I to live a life that exemplifies who he is. It is based on observation of Daniel’s lifestyle I came up with the seven ways:

In order to distinguish ourselves we must:

· We must have unquestionable conduct: We should live our lives in such a way where people cannot accuse us of wrongdoings. We should be extremely aware of who we are and whose we are.

· Live a life free from greed/corruption: Daniel was not intrigued by the King’s meat and wine. The same should be with us. We should not be greedy to the point where it will cause us to compromise our values and attitudes.

· Be trustworthy: How many of us can confidently say that others can confide in us? This is one of the greatest challenges of this generation. No one can trust us with the smallest of their struggles. Some of us will never reach the place that was predestined for us because not even God can trust us, lest we turn our backs on him who created us.

· Have a right relationship with God: We are made different when we have a God who stands with us. Like Daniel, when we have a relationship with God he fights our battles for us and brings our enemies to shame and confusion (Daniel 6:17-18).

·  Pray: People who truly succeed and overcome challenging times are those who give their care or burdens to God. They have extra help so they do not buckle under external pressures (Daniel 6:10-11).

· Innocent: Innocence is precious. When you are truly innocent, God will keep you from being destroyed. Innocence is not having our guilt and wrongdoings hidden. It is being blameless in God's sight. Daniel was released from the Den without a scratch on this account.

· Trust God: The Bible tells us that evil recoils on those who do evil. In other words, ‘what goes around comes around.’ We must be aware too that evil will never leave the house of the wicked. Those who planned Daniel’s demise got themselves thrown into the lion’s den. Daniel trusted God and so should we.

Everyone does not need to understand us. They only need to see the light that emanates from us. As of today, let us vow to be different, set apart, and watch God work in our lives as he did for Daniel.

                                                                        By: L. Fearon