Daniel weas kidnapped and forced to adapt to the pagan culture, a culture with which he did

not share many values. Yet Daniel lived and served with such distinction that he stood out and

received promotions. And this allowed Daniel to become a person of extraordinary influence.

He accomplished this be neither assimilating into the culture, nor rejecting it, but by living

distinctly within it so he could redeem it. When the world is at its darkest, the light of Christ can

shine the most brightly.