Can you step up on your own? Daniel 3:14; 16

Daniel 3:14 The king said to them, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, is what I heard about you true? Don't you serve my gods? Don't you worship the gold statue I set up? 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king. They said, "King Nebuchadnezzar, we don't need to talk about this anymore…”

I’m sharing a nugget that’s been in my heart in order to encourage you. This word came to me during a Beth Moore Bible study on the Book of Daniel. Daniel had initially influenced the king to promote his tres amigos. In this chapter, we learn that the three friends are threatened with death because they don’t worship the king. Daniel wasn’t around to plead their case or help them this time. They had to step up on their own and take a stand.

I’ve been on both sides of the aisle – I’ve watched church from afar and criticized it - and I’ve also been a part of the church circle. I was part of a powerful group of women who studied the Bible and worshipped together on Sundays. Their love of the Word inspired me to step out to know God on an intimate level. In the process I’ve developed lasting Christian friendships.

But now I have to step out on my own

One of the things I’ve learned in my walk is that God has a specific plan for our lives and sometimes that takes us away from the life we’ve established for ourselves. God may pull you away from people and places because he has plans to take you to deeper places to achieve his purpose for your life. This means that he moves your cheese from comfortable places, people and things. It’s difficult to move from a place where you become comfortable and everybody loves you. No one likes to do that, I certainly didn’t.

But my current journey is taking me places where God wants me to be. I wanted to stay by my “Daniel’s”side, where I am protected and have a good “Christian” time and great privileges. But God said, “GO!” I fought it, I told God that I wanted to stay, but deep in my heart, I knew that I had to move on -the Lord made the way. It’s the path least taken, it can be lonely, but now I know why I was created. I’m walking in God’s full purposes for me and there's more to come. My relationship with God is the best it’s ever been. I would not change it for anything.

Are you stepping up?

· Have you asked yourself if what you are doing is what God is asking you to do?

· Are you listening to his voice or are you putting words in his mouth?

· Are you planted in a ministry, church or group of people just because that’s where you’ve always been?

· Are you working for the Lord in ways that you want to because that’s what you find enjoyable or that’s what was suggested for you?

· Are you working for the Lord just because your best friends are doing it?

My friends, working for the Lord means that it may not be lovely, easy or desirable for you. Quite frankly, I’m still blown away by the ministry and settings that God has called me to. It’s not glamorous; in fact, most people would not do what I do. I even tell people that I can’t believe that I’m in that setting working for God. I ran from it for years. Yet I now live for those moments. I want to do it fulltime. I can’t get enough of God because I am finally walking in his plans for my life. I love my life without all the attachments, politics and distractions I had in previous years.

Like Daniel’s three friends, they held their own without him. They believed that the Creator of the universe would take care of them in whatever way He thought best. Their faith saved them. Likewise, I believe our relationship with God is what matters. Drop the agendas and step up to the plans God has specifically for you. At the end of the day, Daniel may not be around to save you.

Only God makes a difference.

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