How would you like to have insight and understanding into your purpose? What's more, how would you like that insight to impact people for generations to come? That may or may not excite you, but one thing is certain: If you are going to do anything meaningful, there is a price to be paid to do so.
We have been studying Daniel and this week we will conclude our studies and move on. We will look not so much at what Daniel saw as what he had to go through to see what he saw. I know this will help you in your desire to gain insight into your world today, including your purpose.
SEEKING THE LORD
As we saw last week, Daniel had been promoted to the head of the wise men in Babylon. Daniel was not only a good administrator, he was a prophet. He was not a prophet in Israel, however, for God moved him to Babylon, put him through all kinds of life changes and transitions and then used him to impact the king and culture of Babylon - while still speaking to his people.
We see part of how Daniel received such extraordinary insight in chapter 10:
At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over (Daniel 10:2-3).
For Daniel, seeking the Lord wasn't only reciting the Lord's prayer. He was serious about pursuing God and God chose to reveal Himself to Daniel. Daniel didn't eat or wash for weeks at a time. What price are you willing to pay to know your purpose? To be used by God? To make a difference in the world?
SEEKING THE LORD ALONE
What's more, Daniel's insight scared everyone else away!
I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless (Daniel 10:7-8).
I am not saying that Daniel was weird or bizarre. Daniel was alone but he was not lonely. He was neither a hermit, nor a John the Baptist figure with a strange diet and outlandish outfit. Daniel did not have a find a holy place from which he could seek God. He sought a holy God from the unholy city to which God had sent Him. Daniel was a productive citizen of the most advanced culture of his day. Yet he was ruthlessly uncompromising when it came to serving his God and God rewarded Daniel again and again with exceptional insight and skill.
Pursuing purpose and the things of God are not to be taken lightly. Yet purpose and the things of God for your life are worth whatever price you pay to find them. I ask again: What price are you willing to pay to find and fulfill purpose? While it may cost you everything, the results are priceless and worth the pursuit. Have a great week!
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UPCOMING SEMINAR IN PITTSBURGH: I am hosting my quarterly purpose profiling seminar in Pittsburgh (at right is a picture from the last one held in October, 2013) at Allegheny Center Alliance Church next Saturday, May 3 from noon to 4:30 PM. As usual, the seminar is free but you need to register by writing to let me know you are coming. If you can't make this one, the next one is on June 7 at the same time.
PURPOSE ASSESSMENT: Don't forget that there is a free purpose assessment on the home page of my website. Once you take the assessment, you will hear from me with your score and with suggestions for the way forward.
ONLINE RADIO: I now have three weekly Internet radio shows, to which you can listen live or access all of the archived interviews and download them to listen to on your mobile device or on your computer. The three shows are:
- Leadership Talk: Friday at 4PM (U.S. Eastern Time Zone)
- Urban Heroes: Wednesday at 8AM
- Ministry Beat: Tuesday at 4PM
FACEBOOK: When you have a chance, please go to my Facebook ministry page and register a like so you can follow me there.
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