Deeper Reflection
God has created humans to work, just as He worked in creating the universe (Gen 2:2-3, 5, 15). So, vocation has become a major aspect of our lives under the creation order. But we work in a fallen, highly competitive dog-eat-dog world, where people will do whatever it takes to be successful, even if that means harming others. We ought to, then, work in such a world consciously as faithful followers of Jesus. And Daniel is such a model.Daniel’s Competency: Daniel “possessed an extraordinary spirit” (v.3), which he already had while serving in the Babylonian court (Dan 5:12). The principle here is, God does give us certain gifts and abilities for competency in the vocation that He calls and directs us to. But Godgiven gifts and abilities do not rule out hard work. God does not intend the gifts and abilities to be always “extraordinary”. For Daniel, the “extraordinary” was a divine necessity in his vocation. And because of his “extraordinary spirit”, Daniel “began distinguishing himself ” among his equals and his subordinates (v.3).Daniel’s Character: Daniel “was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was found in him” (v.4). We may not distinguish ourselves in terms of competency, but we must distinguish ourselves in character. Character is fundamental and is more important than competency. For one can be so competent as to make great and successful accomplishments, but corrupt in character. Such competency and accomplishments are “wood, hay, straw” in the light of ultimate reality (cf. 1 Cor 3:12-13). Daniel’s character was formed through living by “the law of his God” (v.5).