There are several standards by which human performance can be measured—physical, mental, social, and emotional. Many of these standards have been carefully researched and validated. Yet, there is no single standard that melds each of these sometimes disparate areas together.
One of the great experiments of the Bible attempted to meld these standards. Often we view and use the Bible as empirical evidence for how we and others should live. When done in the right spirit, this can be appropriate. Yet there are some significant mysteries that need exploring. One of these is found in a story familiar to many: the story of Daniel and his three friends in Babylon:
“But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. But he responded, ‘I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.’
“Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. ‘Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,’ Daniel said. ‘At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.’ The attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days.
“At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others.
“God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams” (Dan. 1:8–17, NLT).
In the Babylonian court were gathered the best and brightest from throughout the kingdom. The competition was very talented. Have you ever wondered how these young men could be found sharper and smarter than all the rest in only ten days? I like to call this amazing difference observed in Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah human performance integrity (HPI).
One of the great challenges of scientific research is how to account for and control the confounders—outside factors that may affect the outcome. Was it simply the diet and water that brought about these remarkable findings, or might it be something entirely different, or a combination of factors?
Good health habits tend to cluster; that is, people who make careful dietary choices tend to exercise more regularly, use fewer harmful substances, sleep more regularly, and, in general, exhibit greater self-discipline. Most likely, these four young captives did not suddenly adopt new habits when in captivity. They probably had already been living healthfully to preserve every aspect of their being to honor and glorify God.
Too often we fail to recognize the subtle impact our lifestyle choices have on the most sensitive parts of our day-to-day performance and, easier to accept, that eventually, in old age, we might develop a debilitating disease. Yet science recognizes that insufficient sleep, dehydration, noisy environments, alcohol, and unhealthy diets, to name just a few, impact the highest levels of human performance—our cognitive performance. In lifestyle, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
When the final test for these young men came and they were evaluated by the king himself, they were found to have incredible wisdom and judgment and were ten times more capable than their peers (Dan. 1:19, 20).
Human performance integrity is what gave Daniel and his three friends this incredible evaluation. They chose to live each day in such a way as to maintain their optimal, God-given performance—physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
Here are simple ways you, too, can optimize your HPI:
- Place your trust implicitly in God.
- Choose a healthy diet.
- Get 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
- Drink sufficient water.
- Sleep at least eight hours per night.
- Live a temperate life, avoiding toxic substances and using the good things in moderation.
- Get adequate exposure to sunshine.
- Breathe pure air.
- Serve those in need
How is your HPI today?
