Don’t Follow the Crowd

Last week we introduced our theme in the youth group for 2025, “Set Apart”. One of the

many ways that we can be set apart from the world is to choose to follow God instead of

following the crowd. Often, we are faced with a decision of whether to do what everyone else is

doing or to do what God has commanded us to do. Following the crowd is usually convenient. It

rarely requires any effort or sacrifice. It certainly is the easiest decision but not always the right

one.

In the book of Daniel, the Bible starts by giving us an example of a time when Daniel and

his companions had a decision to make. Having been taken into Babylonian captivity, Daniel was

told that he would learn all there was to learn about being a Babylonian. He was even told that he

would have to change his diet. The Babylonians ate many things that God had forbidden the

Jews from eating. To make matters worse, they often sacrificed a portion of that food to their god

before eating it. This would make Daniel and his friends complicit in the worship of idols is they

chose to eat this food. But Daniel took a different path. He asked that he and his friends be

allowed to follow their strict diet and only eat food that God had given them permission to

partake of. For this they were rewarded by God. When we choose to be “set apart” we too will be

rewarded by God. It might not be easy. I’m sure the food and wine looked really good to Daniel,

but he stuck to his guns and followed God no matter what. I pray that we do the same. So, this

week, dare to be a Daniel and follow God!

Eric

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