“Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.  Very early the next morning the king got up and hurried out to the lion’s den. When he got there the king called out in anguish, Daniel, servant of the living God, was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel 6:18-20

Darius again is our focus. He knew a good man had been sentenced to a sure death. And to think it was his own law that made it happen. I am thinking that at this point Darius understood what the others had done and felt sick about it. What I feel here is desperation. Do you agree?

Anxiety has gripped Darius. He could not eat, could not enjoy his usual pleasures and could not sleep. Yes anxiety does that to us. And still we see what he does in the morning. He gets up early and calls out to Daniel.

So why call out to Daniel if the lion den brought death? Perhaps Daniel had told Darius of his faith and all his God had done. Thinking on that have you ever considered how your own faith influences others? It will if it is more than words. A faith lived out will get the attention of those who see.

In order for your faith to impact others, however, you must live it.

Let me give an example in the physical. I recall when I accepted the position of secretary last year for the VFW radio club. Some members, I shall not name them, thought this was impossible. How will she read the minutes? How will she even write the minutes or do all the needed emails and snail mails? They had no real faith that it could be done and I knew it.

Then it happened. We got to a meeting. I setup my laptop and put on my headphones. I had one ear open and the other covered. When we got to the minutes I listened as I scrolled down and then said what I heard. Of course I had read over the minutes several times so it likely sounded like I was reading the minutes. One man got up from where he was and sat closer. He simply had to know how I was “reading the minutes.” He just couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Yet because I had enough faith to accept the job and a desire to do a good job it got done. And because of that now folks let me do club related clerical things. They know I can and now they actually believe I can. And it wouldn’t have happened if I had no faith that I could do it.

Spiritually it works the same way. One who gets a reputation for being a prayer warrior tends to be the one you call when you need prayer. One who loves God’s word and studies will tend to inspire those who perhaps haven’t gotten there yet. Each of us can inspire others. Your faith can impact your world. Will you live your faith?

These morning meditations written by Christian believer and author, Patricia Hawkins, who offers these meditations for your personal edification. You may contact Patricia at prayerpartnerpat@gmail.com.