Living on Purpose in a World Where Evil Seems to Win

Living on Purpose in a World Where Evil Seems to Win

In a world that often feels dominated by darkness, how can we live purposefully as people of faith here in the Roswell Community? This question confronts us daily as we witness violence, injustice, and suffering both near and far. The ancient story of Daniel and his friends provides a powerful lens through which we can examine our own struggles and find hope in seemingly hopeless situations.

The book of Daniel opens with a scene of devastation. Jerusalem has fallen to the Babylonian empire, its treasures plundered and its people exiled. Among the captives are young men of noble birth, including Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. These youths find themselves thrust into a foreign culture intent on erasing their identity and repurposing them for the empire's gain.

This narrative eerily mirrors our modern experience as people of faith living in an increasingly secular and sometimes hostile culture. Like Daniel and his friends, we often feel pressure to conform, to let go of our God-given identity and purpose. The world seeks to rename us, defining our worth by our productivity, status, or ability to consume. It attempts to repurpose us, turning us into cogs in a machine that often runs counter to God's kingdom values. And it relocates us, pulling us away from community and rhythms that nurture our spiritual lives.

In the face of such overwhelming forces, how did Daniel respond? And how can we follow his example?

1. Choose Surrender Over Control

When confronted with evil, our instinct is often to fight back or to flee. But Daniel shows us a different way. He surrenders - not to the evil around him, but to God's will. This surrender manifests as obedience to the conviction God places on his heart. Daniel refuses to defile himself with the king's food, not out of rebellion, but out of faithfulness to God.

Importantly, Daniel doesn't try to overthrow the system or escape his situation. Instead, he engages with it, seeking to be faithful where God has placed him. This challenges our notion that following God means escaping difficult circumstances. Sometimes, being obedient means staying put and shining God's light in dark places.

2. Seek God's Direction

In navigating the complex ethical landscape of Babylon, Daniel seeks God's wisdom. He doesn't react impulsively but pauses to discern God's will. This is crucial for us as we face the "gray areas" of life, where right and wrong aren't always clear-cut.

Daniel excels in his studies, even in subjects that might seem at odds with his faith. Yet he's commended as a man faithful to God. This reminds us that seeking God's direction may lead us into unexpected territory, requiring us to trust His guidance even when we don't fully understand.

3. Trust in God's Sovereignty

The core message of Daniel's story is that God remains in control, even when everything seems to be falling apart. The chapter ends with a seemingly insignificant detail - that Daniel remained in Babylon until the first year of King Cyrus. This subtle note reminds us that empires rise and fall, but God's purposes endure. The evil that seemed unstoppable was, in fact, temporary.

This truth is ultimately embodied in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. When all seemed lost on Good Friday, God demonstrated His sovereignty over even death itself on Easter Sunday. This is the bedrock of our hope as believers.

Living as Exiles with Purpose

As followers of Christ, we are called to live as "exiles" in this world - people whose true citizenship is in God's kingdom. This doesn't mean withdrawing from society, but rather engaging it with purpose, always remembering our true identity and allegiance.

Here are some practical ways we can apply Daniel's example:

1. Guard your identity: Regularly remind yourself of who God says you are, not what the world tells you you should be.

2. Examine your purpose: Are you living for God's kingdom or being swept along by the world's agenda?

3. Create space for God: In a world that constantly tries to relocate our attention, intentionally carve out time and space to seek God's presence and direction.

4. Practice faithful presence: Look for ways to be salt and light in the specific place God has put you, even if it's difficult.

5. Trust God's timing: Remember that God's sovereignty operates on a different timeline than we might expect. Stay faithful in the present, trusting that God is working even when we can't see it.

6. Ground yourself in the Gospel: In times of confusion, suffering, or doubt, return to the central truth of Christ's death and resurrection. The Gospel remains true and powerful in every circumstance.

Living purposefully in a broken world is not easy. We will face pressure, confusion, and sometimes persecution. But we are not alone. The same God who sustained Daniel in Babylon is with us today. His sovereignty is greater than any evil we encounter, and His love for us is unshakeable.

As we navigate the complexities of our modern "Babylon," may we, like Daniel, choose surrender to God over grasping for control. May we seek His wisdom in every decision. And may we rest in the unshakeable truth that our God reigns, even when - especially when - the world seems darkest.

In the end, our hope is not in our own ability to withstand the pressures of this world, but in the finished work of Christ and the coming of His kingdom. As we live purposefully today, as a church in Roswell, GA, we look forward to that day when all things will be made new, and God's sovereignty will be fully revealed.