In the world we currently live in, conformity seems to be the order of the day. People like to seek acceptance and compromise becomes the price to pay for the acceptance they seek. People compromise their integrity, they compromise their identity, they compromise the truth, they compromise holiness, they compromise God’s standard, just to gain acceptance.
To dare to be different is a call to be courageously different; to be different with boldness. It is a call to rise above the ordinary in this world. It is not a call to be different in style but to be different in substance. It is a call to be different in faith, not in fancy.
This is not rebellion, but in resolution to stand for what is right, good and of high standard.
Our Bible text will be taken from the book of Daniel chapter 1, verses 1-15.
In verse 8: But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore, he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Daniel was a young man who dared to stand differently from the world’s system and culture. He faced many of the same issues we face today but persevered and Dared To Be Different for God and for his destiny.
We would be looking at how we can be different in a world gradually being dominated by conformity.
1. Know who you are:
Daniel knew who he was. He knew he was originally from a royal family (Dan. 1:3). Self-awareness, which is a balanced view of your worth and value will shape your behavior will help you develop self-esteem and self-respect. It will shape your decision, and your choices. Daniel’s self-awareness enabled him to confidently place demand on the king’s eunuch when he said “sorry, I can’t defile myself with the king’s food. I would rather eat vegetables and drink water.”
In 1 Peter 2:8- Therefore, You must dare proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
You declare His praises by standing up for God and representing Him in places where darkness is the order of the day. Dare to be different everywhere you go!
The question here is do you know yourself well enough to know your stand?
2. Know why you are here (Your purpose):
If you really want to dare to be different in a world that wants you to conform, then you must be clear on WHY you are here on earth, which is your purpose. And that will be the point of difference for you.
Even under great pressure, Daniel showed that wealth, power, influence, and position were no distractions to him, because he understood his purpose!
For instance, In Daniel chapter 5, king Nebachadnezzar offered Daniel payment to interpret the writing on the wall: Verse 17 – Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.
Even when they plotted to stop Daniel from praying to his God, they made the king sign it into the law, but that was not enough to stop Daniel. In Daniel chapter 6:10 – Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
This was so because Daniel understood that his purpose was to be an intercessor for Jerusalem.
Do you know your purpose?
We are in a world where sin is celebrated, and righteousness is greatly despised. A world where shortcuts or cutting corners is the order of the day. A world where genuine love and concern for people is selfishness. A world where you have to offer money before you receive basic help; almost everything is commercialized. Knowing your purpose and why you are here on earth will guide you to behave differently.
3. Know your God – The source of your strength:
Daniel demonstrated his knowledge of God through prayer and study of the word. He knew that God was the source of his light. He knew that God answers prayer; he prayed even when it was unconstitutional to pray.
In Dan 9:2 “I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.”
Prayer and consistent study of the Bible was the second nature of Daniel. As a result, he did a lot of great things and that was why he documented in Daniel chapter 11:32 – “…the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”
In conclusion, what you need to be different is a Renewed mind.
As clearly stated in Rom 12:2 – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
We must dare to be different. People accept what is the same, but they eventually respect what is different.
Say this prayer: O Lord my father, help me to know my stand in you, help me to find my purpose on time, help me to live a life of difference, according to your will, in Jesus name.
