The Seeker's Daily Devotion

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The Seeker's Daily Devotions

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Today's Scripture Reading

Daniel 6

Focus Scripture

Daniel
6:3-5  (MSG)

Darius reorganized his kingdom. He appointed one hundred twenty governors to
administer all the parts of his realm. Over them were three vice-regents, one of whom was Daniel. The governors reported to the vice-regents, who made sure that everything was in  order for the king. But Daniel, brimming with spirit and intelligence, so completely outclassed the other vice-regents and governors that the king decided to put him  in charge of the whole kingdom. The vice-regents and governors got together to find some old scandal or skeleton  in Daniel's life that they could use against him, but they couldn't dig up anything. He was totally exemplary and trustworthy. They could find no evidence of negligence or
misconduct. So they finally gave up and said, "We're never going to find anything against this Daniel unless we can cook up something religious."

How can we live out our faith and survive in a secular world that rejects God? How can we avoid pressure to conform to business and societal  practices that are contrary to our faith?

President Obama, Secretary of Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff certified a Congressional bill to repeal the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy in July 2011, relating to homosexuals and bisexual soldiers. In the past, gays could join the military, as long as they kept their sexual orientation private. Commanders were not allowed to inquire about their sexual orientation. I believe that having a group of people (many in high ranking positions) living their lives in the closet greatly undermined the integrity, security and readiness of the military. It also limited these soldiers' ability to live their best lives and maximize their contributions to this country. Some crazy things can happen when you're in the closet of secrecy.

In today's scripture reading, we see a 16 year old Daniel proving that it is possible to live out our faith in public; regardless of our vocation, age or living
conditions. Many of us feel that we must keep our faith under wraps in our communities and workplaces; and that the only  appropriate place for displaying our faith is in our churches, temples, and mosques. There is nothing new about the secularism and violence that we are now experiencing.  'm going to tell you a secret: the ability to live out your faith in the world lies in one simple and ageless  word- choice. At 16, Daniel witnessed the slaughter of his family and, the burning of his village. He had  to go into exile and was forced to serve evil kings.  They forced him to learn their language and ther culture. They even changed his name to reflect their gods. The ruling world tried in every way possible to claim Daniel, but they failed.

What I know for sure is that we have to intentionally choose God while living  in the midst of suppression and oppression. Unofficial Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell practices regarding our faith being on display are prevalent in our educational institutions and workplaces. If you are struggling with how to live out your faith throughout the day , it may mean that your choice is not clear. You do not carry the burden of  what to say and how to say it. God assumed that responsibility in the person of Jesus Christ. So your problem is not having the strength to live out your faith, but rather its having the resolve to do so.

Prayer

Lord, each day we are faced with the contrariness of world's approval and disapproval, acceptance and persecution. Help us too understand that the issue facing us is not the world's depravity, but the depth of our own personal desire for You.

Shalom,

Pastor Addie

The Reconciliation Table United Church of Christ

www.the.rtc.org