The Lion's Den

Encounter: Find a quiet place with your Bible. Turn to Daniel 6:6-21. Read it through twice. On the second time through, read it slowly and thoughtfully. Imagine the scene unfold before you.

In our 730 challenge this week, we read about Daniel and Paul’s courage to stand strong in their faith of God. Daniel remained steadfast in praying to God three times a day in front of the window that looked toward Jerusalem at the risk of being seen when King Darius signed a law forbidding prayer to anyone other than himself. Paul remained steadfast in his faith as many were trying to convict him of harm and wrong doing. Both were punished. Daniel was thrown into the Lions den and Paul was thrown into prison.

I recall going against social norms during my professional career at the paper mill. There was a stigma about keeping a separation between faith and the secular world. As I grew into positions of higher leadership, I had to use my words with caution to be sure I was not stirring up any legal issues that could be considered discrimination of faiths or non-faith.

As a maintenance manager and planning a major plant shutdown for a large capital project, I organized a prayer vigil prior to the start of the shutdown and installation. I wrote a letter of prayer and encouragement, inviting mill employees, vendors, and contractors to join me at the flagpole two days before the outage. I was not sure how many would show or if I would be humiliated or disciplined for incorporating my faith into the workplace.

On another occasion, I was invited to speak at the Pulp and Paper Safety Association annual conference as the general manager of the mill. Speaking in front of several hundred safety professionals, business leaders and executives, I was nervous about incorporating my faith story into my presentation. I was not sure how it would be received or if there would be any backlash afterwards.

While these two examples of sharing my faith outside of the Church may not have been life or death situations like Paul and Daniel’s, it does reflect the fear that many face about sharing their faith with others. We risk being laughed at, criticized, debated or in some circumstances threatened or ostracized when we share our faith story.

Jesus calls us to make disciples in all the nations (Matthew 20:18-20). The best way to do this is to build relationships and share our faith story through word and action with the love of Jesus. We trust in God that He will provide the words, the right thing to do, and the protection we will need so that His glory is shared through our story.

Daniel’s life was spared from the lions as God sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions. Paul was given the words to speak and was shown kindness and mercy throughout his imprisonment. Even though I was not faced with death or imprisonment, the prayer meeting at the flagpole was held and maybe 25 people showed up. Those who could not attend, sent responses they were praying alongside us. It was a very successful shutdown with the capital project executed safely, on time and below budget. My presentation at the safety conference was well received with many giving gratitude and feeling hopeful that it is okay to share their faith in the work world.

Reflection: Take some time and consider what fears or apprehensions you may have in living and sharing your faith story. Consider when you go out to enjoy a meal at a restaurant, would you pray in front of the strangers around you giving thanks for the provision before you. Your courage to pray in public before a meal may give encouragement and hope for others to do the same the next time they go out for a meal.

Spiritual Practice: Read the scripture above picturing the scene. Imagine all of the details from the sight of the lions, to the smell of the lions and the den, to the sounds of the lions breathing. Imagine yourself sitting with the lions and seeing the angel still the lions and engaging with you in conversation. Speak to the angel of the Lord and tell the angel what your fears or apprehensions may be in living and sharing your faith story. As you then listen intently for a response, focus on your breathing as you also listen to the breath of the lions. Give thanks to the Lord for the time in the den with the lions and the angel. Record in your journal of how your body responded before, during and after your prayer. Take note of any response you may have received. If you didn’t hear a response, that is okay. Be attentive the next several days as God may answer you in another person, scripture, or situation. God is always present and attentive to where we are at all times.

Gather: As you gather in your small groups, discuss your time in prayer in the lions den. Share with one another what you experienced. If you feel led, share your fears or apprehensions of sharing your faith story. As you listen to one another with love and sincerity, pray for each other.

Standing firm with you in the den of lions - Pastor P

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14. NLT