There are moments in time when we lack perspective to understand the season we are in. Sometimes what appears on the surface to be a season of loss is in reality a season of preparation.
Daniel experienced this. Jerusalem was invaded and Israel was in exile to Babylon. Daniel became a slave for the king of Babylon. “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—” (Daniel 1:1–3, NIV84)
Our attitude in our seasons of loss have a direct impact on how God is able to work in our lives during the difficult seasons. God had warned the people through the words of His prophets many times that exile was coming. God had spoken to the people to embrace their exile.
There are those who believe that if something is hard, unpleasant, or difficult then God cannot be in it. Daniel however heeded the words of the prophets and accepted how God was moving in this season. Daniel was chosen to serve the foreign king and was chosen to learn. “The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.” (Daniel 1:5, NIV84)
Daniel trusted in God even in the season of loss and God used the season of loss as a season of training. Not only was Daniel trained by the Babylonians, God also trained Daniel. “To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.” (Daniel 1:17, NIV84)
This was a season that measured in years. The season of training was a season of obscurity. The season of training was a season of study and work. The season of loss was the season in which to learn to seek God and to hear from God. The season of loss surrendered to God became a season of strength. “At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.” (Daniel 1:18–20, NIV84)
The season of loss is in reality a season of transition. When we embrace what God wants to teach us in our season of exile, we become prepared to help lead others out of exile and into success. The years of obscurity prepared Daniel to honor and speak to the king and help the king to seek God. The years of training and submission prepared Daniel to seek God for others. As Daniel sought God for others, God prospered Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar needed an answer from God and understanding about a dream. Daniel was prepared to serve the king. Because Daniel was able to serve, both prospered. “Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.” (Daniel 2:48–49, NIV84)
The path to true leadership starts with loss and obscurity. We become prepared as servants to seek the benefit of others. Only when we are willing to build others will we find that we ourselves are built and established. Obscurity is the path to humility and humility is the path to greatness.
For Daniel, the season of preparation lasted years. Don’t quit in your season of preparation.
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
