Daniel 1:8-16
But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. But he responded, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.”
Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.” The attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days.
At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A few years ago, a young friend of our family determined that he wanted to apply for a prestigious private college. This brilliant then-high-school-student had virtually nothing going for him except his intelligence and determination. He worked throughout his high school years to earn spending money and to buy his books, necessities for school – and more. He received kindness and assistance from many who believed in him – including a place to live, food, clothing, moral support, and much more. He dreamed of attending a nearby private university, where the school’s website estimates the cost for the 2013-2014 year (including room and board) at $48,436. His school counselors tried to encourage him to apply to state-funded colleges, where they assured him that he could receive a full scholarship. Frankly, we all suggested this. But he would not listen. One counselor went so far as to tell him that he would never be admitted to this private university… that he was wasting his time and missing out on other opportunities in the meantime. In other words, it was just totally out of his league.
Finally, many of us realized that this kid was not going to give up on his dream. So we respected his wishes and supported him as he made the effort to raise the necessary funds to attend “his” college. And do you know what? He did it! Not only did he graduate from this college, where he studied psychology, philosophy and religious studies… he spent a semester abroad as a foreign exchange student to the University of Hyderabad in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India! Today, he works for Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, where he is making a difference in the lives of hungry people… and paying forward what was given to him.
I will admit that I was one of those who begged this young man to apply to state-funded colleges and take the guaranteed scholarship. Greg and I both graduated from a state-supported college, and Arkansas has many excellent schools of higher learning. But this young man believed in his dream to attend a university that US News and World Report has consecutively ranked among the top 12 liberal arts colleges in the nation. I can only conclude that God changed my heart at some point and gave me respect for this dream. And I am grateful that I listened!
Here’s the thing…we all know people who have “crazy notions”… ideas that we think will never fly – and often we are right! But we must be very careful to ask God for wisdom – and to listen to His answers. There will be times when we need to lovingly and respectfully encourage someone to “pick another path”… and times when we need to back off and say, “I respect your decision.” Only God can give us the wisdom to know which is which!
Will you be attentive to God’s word? Will you prayerfully seek His direction and operate with utmost respect at all times? When God tells you to believe in someone or something that seems ridiculous, impossible – or even dangerous - are you willing to be like the king’s attendant and take a leap of faith? When will we learn to trust God in all things? When will we understand the importance of respect… for others… and more importantly, for Him – for His word and His will? Isn’t it about time we “let go and let God”? Will this be the day that you begin?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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