SHINING AS LIGHT

To shine means to distinguish oneself and also to display brilliance and lustre all the time in all areas of life. Light refers to radiance, brightness like that of the Sun. To be shining as light is to ignite your environment; to bring pleasure, health, joy, satisfaction and things of value to where you are. In the Bible book of Matthew 5:16 our Lord Jesus Christ commanded us to let our light shine before others so that they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven.

Daniel and his friends in the book of Daniel in the Bible times shone like light in Babylon. They pursued society. To shine as light, there are several lessons we have to learn. Five of these lessons are as follows:

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MAKE WISE DECISIONS
As youths, we have right to decide what we want our life to become. Decisions one takes can make or mar one’s life. We have to make up our minds not to allow darkness and its vices to quench our light. The temptations and pressures to experiment with new ideas, entertainments, diet and lifestyle could be so overwhelming for young people but caution has to be put in place. The Bible said in Daniel 1:8 that Daniel resolved in his heart not to defile himself. Imagine some temptations ahead of time and make up your mind not to fall into them. Do not allow the moral decadence in our environment to drop you in a dirty mud. That was the secret of Daniel’s success in Babylon.

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REMAIN FOCUSED AMIDST DISTRACTIONS
Daniel and his friends were under life-threatening pressures and distractions. They were required to worship Babylonian gods and lead Babylonian pagan lifestyle but they remained focused on the pursuit of God and excellence. No wonder when the king finally examined all the students, astrologers and magicians in Babylon, Daniel was found outstanding. If you allow yourself to be distracted, it means you lack focus.

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BE FAITHFUL AND DEDICATED TO DUTY
Faithfulness, loyalty and commitment singled Daniel and his friends out for promotion. If you claim to be God-fearing it must reflect in your commitment to your job roles. Despite the atrocities being perpetrated in the society, Daniel and his friends remained committed to Godly values and virtues. Hence, they excelled spiritually, academically and morally.

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BE TOUGH DURING TOUGH TIMES
When you want to honour God you will definitely face persecution from enemies of God. In the University of Babylon, Daniel had enemies who made life difficult for him. Life was challenging and Daniel ended up in the den of lions for pursuing godliness but thank God for the natural victory of good over evil in all matters. Shining as light is not easy; it demands stiff adherence to God, the invincible Superpower and virtues, (Daniel 11:32b). We must deliberately resolve to shine as light in our respective niches in life.

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DETERMINE TO BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE

With the thick spiritual and moral darkness in our contemporary world, God expects every believer to shine as light wherever he/she is. This is one way to dispel the pervading darkness. Shine your small light from where you are to brighten the corner where you are. Daniel was so dedicated and committed to God and his duties that he was fearless to keep his morals and manners within safe boundaries. May God make us the Daniel of our generation and energize us to arise and shine.