Encouraging - Character

The lion’s den made Daniel famous, but it wasn’t just his being in the right place at the right time that determined his place in history. He was prepared. As a young man, Daniel had significant characteristics and readiness that enabled his rise to prominence. He was “showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s place” (Dan 1:4 NIV). He grew up in a Babylonian kingdom that was rebellious to God and self-indulgent (sound like America today?). But Daniel didn’t hole up in his spirituality. He learned what lessons he could from an impure society, and through his abilities and his faithfulness to God, he became influential, eventually administrating much of the Babylonian empire. When Christians shelter themselves, letting “someone else” answer the world’s doubts and address its problems, they abdicate their biblical role to be spiritual influencers. It is incumbent on us to develop our hearts and minds so that we can fulfill our destiny as agents of spiritual, moral, and cultural transformation.

David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters (Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI: 2007), 132.

Encouraging - Character

Recently a dear family friend was appointed the top CEO position of a major multinational corporation. Upon hearing the news, a college friend of mine wrote me an email to recount a funny story involving their first meeting. A few years ago, my college friend had the pleasure of meeting this major executive at my rehearsal dinner. They exchanged niceties, such as "what do you do?" Not surprisingly, the family friend answered very humbly never giving any indication to his position. My college friend went so far as to suggest that his wife might be able to help the major executive if he needed some assistance in Nashville. This interaction was not suprising. If you were to meet our family friend, one would never know the amount of power or influence he wields in the world. Yet, some would argue he is one of the most influential people in corporate America; his servant's heart, character, approachability and integrity separate him from others in his field.

"No competent leader is going to be anxious to impress people with his credentials. Leaders who are truly able are qualified because of their character. They are easily identified, not by letters of commendation, but because of the influence they have on others. They are people who are confident in their calling, and yet at the same time, they know they are utterly dependent on God as the source of their true power."

John MacArthur, The Book on Leadership (Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN: 2004), 103.