Bright Future 

God on Monday
Read previous

Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever’ (Daniel 12.3). 

Reflection

Daniel had prophetic visions. While many of them were about the distant future, others were about the times in which he lived. The accuracy with which the latter appears to have been fulfilled gives confidence in Daniel’s predictions about what still lies ahead.

These predictions include everlasting life that extends beyond our time on earth. According to the verse above, those who are wise and those who lead others in the ways of righteousness will shine like stars.

This can stimulate and encourage us to practice holiness and godly leadership in every area of our lives, including our work. Instead of regarding work merely as an economic or social necessity, we can see it as holy ground suitable for the worship of God; and as fertile ground suitable for nurturing others in the ways of righteousness.

Although this vision is inspired by Daniel’s words, his life offers similar inspiration. He was forced to serve, together with three other young Hebrew men, in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar, the pagan King of Babylon. Daniel dedicated himself to his studies but refused to eat his daily rations because it consisted of food God had forbidden. Later he refuses to bow down to a golden statue.

The story of Daniel provides a model of how we can regard our ‘secular’ work as a suitable arena for the worship of God and the provision of godly leadership to those around us. And it provides the glorious prospect, when that work comes to an end, of joining Daniel in shining ‘like the stars forever’.

Response

Consider how, in your work this week, you can practice holiness and godly leadership. Do you need to have more integrity and humility in what you do, and take greater care about the leadership you model to your co-workers?

Prayer

Lord, may your light shine within us through our work this week. Thank you for the assurance we have in Jesus that we will live to shine that light forever.

This Week's Author

God on Monday is produced in partnership with the Church of England. The reflections are based on the scriptural readings designated for the next Sunday in the Church's lectionary. You can sign up here to receive each God on Monday instalment.

Feel free to share these reflections with your contacts via email and social media.