Has your business or leadership been spitefully criticized in the past? Is there a way to operate so that critics will find nothing to malign us with? Daniel is an example of just that.
“Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy” Daniel 6:4.
Daniel 6 begins with King Darius planning to place Daniel in charge of his entire kingdom. The other high officials, wishing they had been chosen, became jealous of Daniel and searched for a way to remove him. They conspired together and decided to search for any hidden sins or misconduct relating to how Daniel had managed his portion of the kingdom. Being very influential leaders, I imagine they had unlimited resources and connections to launch a full fledge investigation. In a sense, Daniel’s character was going through an IRS audit, or the toughest ISO certification process on the planet. All they needed was one mistake, one flaw; and yet, he was found faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. If your character went through a similar test, would the results be the same?
When people are in positions of power like CEO, business owner or manager, every decision has the potential to be analyzed and critiqued. Now add in a profession of faith, and the layers of accountability get much thicker. This can be used for good, like in Daniel’s case, or it can be a negative testimony, another reminder of how we fall short every day.
Daniel’s character didn’t become flawless overnight. He wasn’t a superhuman, born with perfect attributes. But when Daniel’s character was put under the microscope, it revealed something very important: he had lived out his relationship with Jesus so authentically and consistently and for so long, that his actions and character couldn’t be called into question. Daniel became a living testimony to the other leaders of the kingdom and an example of the transformative power of the Spirit.
I have begun analyzing my own character and decision making through the same lens and filter. I ask myself, “Am I being faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy? Would my employees or competitors describe me using those same words?” The words always and completely raise the bar even higher, but with God’s help, these attributes will naturally flow into our business, relationships, and culture.
Our character is also an overflow of God’s work in our hearts; so, when we ask Him to show us areas of weakness, He will. He will also provide the wisdom, discernment and righteousness that manifested so clearly in Daniel. Not only were these characteristics a shield of defense when his enemies tried to undermine him, they also turned him into a Godly leader. May they do the same in our lives.
What will it take for our personal and business reputation to be marked by being faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy? What needs to change in our leadership so that the critics in our life will find no fault, but rather an unwavering commitment to Christ?
Good words thanks