Nonconformity

Does God want me to be different from the world around me?

God’s Response

But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. . . . “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water.” . . . At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. Daniel 1:8, 12, 15

Daniel was able to be a nonconformist and live faithfully in an environment opposed to his faith. He won respect by his wise living, his wise ways of dealing with those around him, and his hard work. His obedience in this situation prepared him for the tough tests of obedience to come. You don’t have to be a weirdo; stick to your principles while living with kindness, respect, and hard work.

This Is Promising

What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. Galatians 6:15