FALLING OFF THE RADAR can hit us very hard. Being treated as a no-longer-significant employee who does not match up to, or compare well with, one’s colleagues, have produced anger and despair in many Christians. Some have consequently made hasty decisions and unwise job changes. How should we handle getting into a career plateau, becoming forgotten, getting bypassed and overtaken by others? Daniel experienced a steep career descent. Under King Nebuchadnezzar, he had risen overnight to become a leader and advisor of great distinction (Dan 2:46-48). But two decades after Nebuchadnezzar’s death and several kings later, when King Belshazzar⁴⁶ urgently summoned all his top aides and wise men, Daniel was not among them (vv.7-8).⁴⁷ He had fallen off the radar. However, when Daniel was later summoned by Belshazzar to advise him, he did not covet status, riches nor position at all (vv.13-17). Evidently, he was very secure in his identity and felt no need to regain his former prestige and power. Daniel shone for the Lord, speaking with piercing spiritual insight and authoritative boldness (vv.18-28). Clearly, in his descent Daniel did not atrophy. He did not sink into cynical self-pity and gloomy depression. Nor settle into idle retirement. Instead, probably through steadfast prayer and constant intercession,⁴⁸ Daniel kept himself spiritually sharp, attuned to God and ready for action. Friends, a career descent is not the problem. Being defeated by it and losing focus on God is. Elevation is not the goal. Your identity does not depend on that. You are called to be consistent and steadfast in living out your discipleship, whether or not you remain on the world’s radars.

⁴⁶ Belshazzar died in 539 BC (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Belshazzar), about 23 years after his ancestor Nebuchadnezzar II who died in 562 BC. Note: The Aramaic word translated “father” in Daniel 5:11, 13 and 18 can, depending on the context, mean “ancestor”. ⁴⁷ Although Daniel remained in the king’s service (Dan 7:1; 8:1, 27), Belshazzar did not even know him. ⁴⁸ As suggested in later chapters.