Following God in a Secular Workplace: Part 3 of 3

<< Read Part 1, Conform or Transform

<< Read Part 2, Rise to the Top

At work in a secular workplace, Daniel and his three friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah face a number of challenges. When their nation is defeated and the temple of their God is plundered and the plunder taken to the temple of a Babylonian god, it would have appeared to them that the gods of Babylon were more powerful than the God of Israel.

In the workplace today, it is difficult not to be awed by—and bow down to—the power of those who control our paychecks, or those who determine whether or not we get that promotion. It can be hard to believe that our God is more powerful than our boss.

Daniel and friends also had their very identity as God's people challenged—by the changing of their names, by their secular education in Babylonian ways of thinking, as well as by a diet of nonkosher meat that had almost certainly been sacrificed to Babylonian gods. They were promised a life of luxury if they only were willing to compromise God's moral code (for the good of the company).

However, Daniel and his friends refused to compromise. They chose a life of integrity and obedience to their own God—no matter how unpowerful their circumstances may have made God seem in comparison to Nebuchadnezzar and his gods. And through these four men, God's glory is proclaimed across the known world by the most powerful king on earth. What a story about four men having a workplace influence!

Daniel and his friends, rather than conforming to the culture of their workplace, are transformed by God. They even become transforming influences. How? There are two more parts of this story—two principles lived out by the four heroes—that we must explore.

First, none of these men go it alone. They have a community of like-minded believers who support one another. Indeed, they are fortunate enough to have that community and nurture it within the workplace environment. Consider that the names Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego are never heard individually. They are a trio. Inseparable. Say the name Shadrach and anybody around you who knows the biblical stories will immediately think of the other two. When these three refuse to bow down to the idol, they do so together. When they go before the king and give their famous defense, they speak with one voice: "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king." Together, they are thrown into the fiery furnace. And they come out together also.

Daniel experiences some of his trials alone, but we know from the first few chapters just how important this community of four men is. When Daniel resolves not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, he does so with the aid of his friends (Dan. 1:8-17). When Nebuchadnezzar has the dream that his wise men cannot interpret and threatens to put them all to death, Daniel doesn't just try to handle it alone. He again goes back to his friends and explains the situation and urges them to pray together (Dan. 2:14-18). When Daniel is promoted, he makes sure to get promotions for his friends also.

Second, Daniel is committed to prayer. This is perhaps the most important principle in the book of Daniel, especially in understanding how it was that our four heroes not only survived in their faith, but actually thrived. A prayer of petition is their first response to the king's threat to put his wise men to death. When God answers that prayer, Daniel's next response is a prayer of praise (Dan. 2:19-21). Daniel is a man of prayer—of fervent regular prayer (Dan. 6:10). One of the most amazing visions and prophecies of the Old Testament comes to Daniel in response to his commitment to fervent prayer (Dan. 9).

Even when prayer is outlawed and punishable by death, he does not cease to pray (Daniel 6:6-10). Interestingly, Daniel's prayers are in some sense private—they are real conversations with God and not just acts to be seen by men—but they are not hidden. His coworkers, including those hostile to his faith, know that he is a man of prayer (Dan. 6:5,13).

We can resist the conforming influences of the workplace culture. We can choose to follow God and to find our identity in him. But it will be a battle. There are as many forces arrayed against us as there were against Daniel and his friends. Indeed, the attacks we face will be many of the same ones described in Daniel, though in a modern context. As with most battles in the Christian walk, this one will not be won without prayer. God is more powerful than any of the gods of this world, even those who control your pay and promotions. He gives us community (though we must choose to practice it). And he is eager to have us depend on him in prayer.

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<< Read Part 1, Conform or Transform

<< Read Part 2, Rise to the Top