Start with the Vegetables

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching... Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see you progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Timothy 12-13,15-16

I love these verses. While reading them, I couldn't help but think that they reminded me of Daniel. He is a man in the Bible whose life, his entire testimony is living by unwavering example for everyone to see. The first time you see that is when young Daniel decides he is not going to eat the meat sacrificed to idols. Can you imagine the reaction he first got?

"You don't want to eat meat?! You've got to be kidding me! This stuff is the finest food in the land." The steward is shocked. Flabbergasted even. These boys need to look like healthy men, not sick cows!

"No, I don't want to eat meat offered to false god's. How about some vegetables?" He was standing his ground. He would not waver. He knew that eating a few lettuce leaves would be physically better for him then delicacies from false gods.

Daniel was taken care of by God. Every time, the test of faith grew harder, but Daniel plowed ahead, and remained true. And in response, no matter how the enemy tired to come at him- maiming, death by lions, execution- God has taken care of him. He had amazing visions. When he prayed, angels showed up, addressed him as, "O Daniel, man greatly loved," and explained things to him. Daniel 12:13 says, "But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in you allotted place at the end of the days." His faithfulness to God earned him, guaranteed him a place with God. Daniel is an incredible example to us today.

Daniel started with his vegetables. "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." Luke 16:10

If you want to learn how to become an example to all believers, then remember to start with your vegetables. One day, the lions and fire will test you, but if you've been faithful with your vegetables, then you can say, "Yeah, so what," to those obstacles. Your example could make the difference for somebody.

Stay true to your spiritual spinach.