Continuing on the theme from Language Barrier, I’m also convicted at how I so often hide who I am in Christ in front of non-Christians. I certainly don’t want to be a caricature who speaks in “Christianese,” but I usually err on the side of not being straightforward. Recently, reading about Daniel, I was both convicted and encouraged to be more open and true. When evil men conspired to trap Daniel by convincing the king to outlaw praying to anyone but the king, Daniel was faithful to pray to God, and only to God.

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10

Two things struck me here. First, Daniel continued “just as he had done before.” He was faithful in prayer to God; his enemies couldn’t stop him from praying, nor was he doing this to “show them.” Rather, he just continued to be obedient with his focus on God. Second, Daniel prayed in his upstairs room with the windows open. This doesn’t mean he was letting in the fresh air. There were no glass windows like we have today. Instead, windows were openings in the wall that could be covered with shutters. Having the windows open meant that the shutters were open; Daniel could look out towards Jerusalem while at the same time, people outside could look in and see him.

I confess I am more likely to pull my shutters closed when I’m not sure who will be seeing me. I love this picture of Daniel faithfully living out his relationship with God in view of others, unafraid of their disdain or even persecution. I am encouraged to be more like him, to speak more openly of the things that are important to me and not filter out language that reflects my relationship with God.