A Man Like Daniel (Part 2)

Daniel was like a song you'd like after hearing it for the first time. Then, as you listen to it on repeat, you latch on. That's what happened as I was reading Daniel 4-7.

So I decided to write a second part to A Man Like Daniel.

Here are more characteristics I noticed about him:

Speaks hard solid truth with much compassion (4:19). Imagine telling the king the dream was about him losing both his kingdom and sanity. Daniel was fearless in doing what is right even if it meant revealing difficult situations to authorities.

Mas madaming lalaki sa ngayon ang mananahimik nalang. Kunwari matapang pero gagawin lahat para makaiwas sa confrontation. Meron naman yung grabe magsalita pero walang sense ng empathy. Si Daniel yung tipo ng lalaki na sasabihin sayo kung mali ka pero gagawin sa paraang makikita mo na mahal ka niya kaya sinasabi niya yung totoo.

Thinks logically (5:12). He can explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Grabe naman po talaga ito si Daniel. Magaling na sa words, logic smart pa! This can also mean when disturbances come up, his emotions do not get the best of him. He immediately ponders on what can be done instead of pointing fingers.

Diba ang sarap kasama ng mga taong kalmado sa panahon ng problema tapos sabay kayo mag-iisip kung ano bang pwedeng gawin. Kaysa naman yung lalaki na dadaanin lahat sa init ng ulo. Balakajan!

Lives with integrity (6:4). Upon hearing plans of another promotion, other administrators tried to find holes in Daniel's work ethics. They couldn't find any. He was faithful. He was always responsible. He was completely trustworthy.

Minsan, ang mga Christian na babae mabilis ma-impress. Makita lang na masipag sa church, nagiging interested na. Hindi 'yun sapat, ghorls. Sa lahat dapat ng aspects, walang masasabi tungkol sa kanya. Hindi pwede yung "Luh, lagi naman nasa church kaya okay lang kahit tamad sa school." "Baka nangongopya kasi inuna yung devotion." EDI WOW.

Exhibits healthy spirituality (6:16). The king himself saw Daniel's faithfulness in serving God -an unbeliever, the head of a pagan nation. Real life actions showed this man's relationship with God. His spirituality was not limited in the temple or the words you hear from his man. Daniel's relationship with God is definitely legit!

Hay, 'to na naman tayo, ghorls. Kapag ang galing magsalita at parang tungkol kay God ung chat, napapa-siya na nga. Nadadala tayo ng fake sprituality. Good test: ask your leaders and pastors about the guy you like. Try mo tanungin kung nakikita ba nila yung maayos na sprituality ni guy. Tapos next ask mo yung teacher/magulang niya na di Chrisitian. Pag parehas sagot ay okay, at kung right time, pray for him. Kung hindi, tigil mo nalang. Ikaw din magiging superficial ang relationship kay Lord.

Stands on convictions with consistency (6:10). In the past, Daniel refused to eat the king's food. This time, he refused to stop praying. Despite the imminent danger, he opened his windows and prayed. Consistent in convictions. Consistent in prayer from chapter 1-7!

Narealize ko lately, I have never liked a guy na ang dahilan ay nakita ko mismo yung consistency ng buhay niya. Ang shallow ko pala. Sobrang halaga pala nito -na hindi magpabulag sa attraction pero ang hanapin ay yung walang sablay pagdating sa prayer at paninindigan. Tara, pray! HAHAHHA.

Works well in the present while maintaining a vision of the future (7:2). Being promoted to a significant position in a foreign land equates to busy hands and minds. More often than not, when much work is being done in the present, there is a tendency not to think about the future. Daniel was different. He even had a clear vision from God.

Kung anong isusulat palang ni John sa Revelation, nakita na ni Daniel. EBARG! Hindi ito dahil lang may 'gift' siya pero dahil sa lifestyle niya ng faithfulness. Pinagkatiwalaan siya ni Lord ng visions of the future. Samantalang 'yung type natin, wala kahit personal na plano para sa future.

Paalala: HINDI fictional character si Daniel! Totoong tao po siya na nabuhay sa panahon ng exile. Taong nanatiling matapat sa kalagitnaan ng consequence ng pagiging masuwayin ng mga ninuno niya.

Pansinin niyo na hindi adjectives kundi mga verb ang descriptions about him: speaks, thinks, lives, exhibits, stands, and works. Hindi kasi pinanganak si Daniel na ideal. Ito ay ayon sa daily actions niya na bunga na maayos na relationship Niya sa Diyos.

Pwede tayong magkaroon ng isang Daniel.

Pwede rin na maging isang babaeng version niya.

Pray tayo.

Maging totoo.

Maging masunurin.

Maging masipag mag-aral (student man o hindi na).

Mamuhay tayo nang tapat.