When I grow up I want to be like Daniel; this came to me as I was engaged in my to-do list. And here is why …
“M’am, will these poor people ever even thank you for these donations?” Asked the driver as we were unloading a truck-full of furniture as the evening grew old.
“Umm. Hmm. Well …” I fumbled on my words in search for the right answer … till the opportunity fled the scene. My reply should’ve been simple. As a church, we were not helping the community for the gratitude of men, but for the glory of God.
It saddens me. Too often I find myself mumbling nothings instead of giving God credit on the days he flings wide-open doors of opportunities to bring him glory.
And you’d think that day I learned my lesson. Yet, a few days later , here I was once again …
“Hey, you’re lucky you have music abilities. Not everyone is born with that …” Said my music teacher while attempting to be encouraging as I struggled to keep up with the beat.
“Hooray.” I whispered waving my dancing fingers.
Once more, shutting the door of opportunity to bragging on my Creator. Truth be told, if there’s anything, anything at all good in me, it’s all because of God whose allowed it.
I was convicted not to keep silent anymore while reading the book of Daniel. I have so much to learn from his life as he boldly gave credit to the Lord without fail even when his life was at stake.
“The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?”
Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries … But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living…” Daniel 2: 26- 28a, 30a
Daniel takes no credit for God’s work. But I do, when I am tight-lipped to give him glory.
How do I give the right answers?
At times, there’s no right or wrong answer. But there is a mindset of intentionality that makes my Saviour part of my responses to life each day.
“Out of the heart, speaks the mouth”.
Is my heart filled more with him, or with ideas of how to promote ‘me’ with my attempts to be clever as I respond?
When we receive a compliment in the ‘mailbox’ of our ears, let’s forward them to God’s glory, not our own. Let’s not waste compliments, nor great questions.
Let’s refuse to stay quiet when it’s our queue to point to the Master.
Today, get ready to respond with Christ in mind!