Conviction

We can be inspired by people who are devoted to Christ and who demonstrate a sense of conviction,
informed by and consistent with the Scriptures. The apostle Paul writes in 2nd Corinthians 6:
1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.
4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God...

So, what does a minister of God look like?  Well, I would contend that we can look into the mirror. Because we are all called to do ministry, to be His workers.  And, a worker on behalf of Jesus Christ is encouraged to think as He thinks and act as He acts.  We are called to be people of conviction, who make our decisions in line with the teachings of the Scriptures, who follow through according to His power and exhibit a determination that flows from the depths of our souls.  We are believers, and we are called to be people of conviction!

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We have access to the power of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead, who informs our convictions, resulting in good decisions, which bear fruit as we follow through with determination. 2nd Peter 1 says:
(3) ...His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

Dan Walker is a broadcaster in the U.K., known as a "presenter" for BBC Breakfast.  That's a high honor, but he's been offered others.  The website, ChristianHeadlines.com, referred to a Christian Today article, which cited an interview for the Radio Times, in which Walker tells the man who helped him land the Breakfast gig that even if he were to be offered a plum role, such as presenting BBC Sports Personality of the Year, said to the be top job in "broadcast sport," he'd turn it down.

What?  Why?  Well, that award is handed out on a Sunday night. Walker explained: "I've been in that position before with people who offered me large and significant carrots, and my answer then would
be the same answer that I'd give you now."  He added, "As a Christian, I'd say that some things are more important than even the best job in the world."

The man who helped Walker, celebrity broadcaster Eamonn Holmes said that he was likewise a Christian, but didn't hold the same convictions about working on the Sabbath. Walker responded: "I totally understand. But for practical and spiritual reasons it's really important to me. It's a personal decision I made for the good of my family, and I've managed somehow to maintain it for 20 years. I'm in the job because I love doing it, but it's not the be all and end all."

Christian Headlines said that "Walker became a Christian at the age of 12 and has remained committed to his faith ever since. He and his wife, Sarah, have three children."

A profile of Walker on the UK Daily Mail website stated:

As a youngster, he dreamed of being a professional footballer, but turned down invitations from the youth teams of major clubs because they played their matches on Sundays.

And when he became a TV presenter, fronting various sporting events and hosting BBC1’s Football Focus, he struck a deal with bosses that he would never have to work on the Sabbath.

‘I was convinced that it was the right thing to honour God and follow his commandments,’ he said in 2010. ‘Observing the Lord’s Day is a great privilege and brings with it loads of blessings.’

Walker also takes care not to swear, blasphemy or laugh at risque jokes – something that can make life difficult as a broadcaster on live TV.

The son of a Baptist preacher, Walker – who grew up in Crawley, West Sussex – has been a regular churchgoer all his life.

A less flattering picture of Walker is offered by The Guardian, which stated:

In picking Walker, it emerges, BBC management was also fulfilling God’s plan for Dan Walker. “I firmly believe that God has a plan for me to progress in the industry,” he once said, quoting 1 Samuel 2:30: “Those who honour me I will honour.” Yea, even unto an red pulpit on a flagship BBC news programme.

So, at least that writer was not impressed by Walker's Christian cred.  But, I've got to admit, when the secular press is poking fun at your faith, and you're living that out, it can be a badge of honor.

According to the Guardian article, Walker likes to quote Eric Liddell, whose story was portrayed in the movie, Chariots of Fire, and who would not run on the Sabbath.

What a refreshing instance of a man who holds conviction that is consistent with the Bible!   Dan Walker made a determination 20 years ago, and has held to it.  He has a Biblical basis for living out that conviction; and I highlight this not to denigrate those who hold a different view about observing the Sabbath, but to challenge each of us to think about our own convictions.

There will be for all of us, I hope, instances of decisions that we have determined will be what is referred to as a "hill to die on."  Another saying is that "if you stand for anything, you'll stand for nothing."  You have to be Scriptural in your convictions, but I think you also have to be selective - if you're just practicing something out of superstition or because you think it's right or acceptable in the eyes of other people, but it's perhaps not Biblical, well, you can be caught up in legalism, which doesn't testify well to the gospel.  So we develop conviction and then make our decisions based on those deeply-held values.  God's Word and our application to our own lives can result in making sure that our decisions are informed by those beliefs.

We also have to include in the mix one of the "secret sauces" involved in the recipe for true conviction, and that is to follow through.   We have to do more than try and more than hope for the desired results - we must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to equip us to walk according to what God has laid on our hearts.  Through that attitude, we develop determination, which enables us to stick by our convictions no matter what.

So, we can evaluate - what are we convicted about?  Or do we become that person whose foundation collapses when the winds blow and the storms come?   Convictions yield informed decisions, resulting in follow through and a sense of determination.  These are components that serve us well as we pursue excellence in the Christian life.