Dr Freddy began by reading from Daniel 6:1–14 and 24-28. Daniel was known as a prophet. He was not ‘full-time (church) worker.’ First and foremost he was a ‘civil servant’ as he served in the kingdom of Babylon during his exile. He was a young Jewish boy who was taken into captivity to learn the Babylonian culture and to serve the enemy. He continued to obey God even when he was living in the enemy’s territory under the authority of the Babylon. It is important to observe his ministry but even more so, his character.
God enabled Daniel to serve with righteousness in his workplace. The workplace occupies a huge part of many of our lives. If you cannot find the purpose of God at your workplace then life will be purpose-less. Dr Freddy then shared about how much he was so enamored in serving God during his school days that he got very concerned if he would not be able to do so when he entered the workforce. His mentor assured him that being consistent is more important than doing big things at work. Consistency is important and it is an indicator to show that you have lasted the distance.
Serving in the enemy’s court, Daniel knew Israel was being punished by God not men. He could live through life in his enemy’s court because he was very clear about the purposes of God in his life. It was not about his rank, his promotion, his needs nor his well-being or about what people thought of him. Daniel was consistent and continued to walk in love alongside his ‘enemies’.
Is your work life only centred on how you are being appraised at work? Where is your purpose of God’s kingdom at the workplace? If your life is just surrounded by appraisals then you will always be unhappy. You might have unrealistic expectations of yourself as you spend long hours at work. If you have found God’s purposes and you focus on these at work, then promotion will never be your problem. But if you are promoted, have you ever asked God why? Promotion is more than just success for yourself. God wants you to grow beyond ‘giving us our daily bread’ to ‘for thine is the kingdom’. We must understand what God is doing through us at the workplace so we can impact the world and society.
Daniel gave pre-eminence (used in Colossians 1:15-17) to God and gave God the highest of all other priorities. This is what will guide you at the workplace and you must be consistent in it. Even though he knew he was being persecuted and indicted by law, Daniel did not appeal to the king but continued to pray as was his custom. He knew the Word of God will keep him from straying. Therefore, we must have the Word of God to guide us at the workplace because God’s Word is consistent. As we read verses 24-28, we see Daniel impacting the nations when the King gave praise to God and finally, he was exonerated! Do not fear as God will make things right for His purposes. We must get drilled with the Word of God and stay true to it. Now, even at times when we feel the Holy Spirit’s presence and perceive that we hear from Him, it is still important to know what His Word says and verify with godly counsel. We know that the Word of God stays true even though circumstances change. When you do what is right and righteous at work, the wrongs will be exposed which will bring about opposition and retaliation from others.
Therefore, work at doing right and walk through the ‘jungle’ path God has paved for you. Do not worry about what others may say, for His desire is for us to impact the society and the world.
Discussion Questions
1. Dr Freddy mentioned that ‘being consistent is important as it is an indicator showing that you have lasted the distance’. In relation to Daniel, why was being consistent important as he served in the court of King Darius? Why should this be important to us? [15 mins]
2. What are God’s purposes for you at work and how does that affect your work life? [15 mins]
3. How do you think you can be an impact to society at your workplace? [15 mins]
