Saturday, November 5, 2022  

Today’s Scripture Reading
Daniel 6:16–28

Then the king gave the command, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you faithfully serve, deliver you!” A stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, so that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.

Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no food was brought to him, and sleep fled from him. Then, at break of day, the king got up and hurried to the den of lions. When he came near the den where Daniel was, he cried out anxiously to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you faithfully serve been able to deliver you from the lions?” Daniel then said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong.” Then the king was exceedingly glad and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. The king gave a command, and those who had accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. Before they reached the bottom of the den the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.

Then King Darius wrote to all peoples and nations of every language throughout the whole world: “May you have abundant prosperity! I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: For he is the living God, enduring forever. His kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion has no end. He delivers and rescues, he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth; for he has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. (NRSV)

Reflection

When I get a spare moment, I’m going to write a book titled “Leadership Is Hard—I Don’t Recommend It!” I will use poor King Darius as a case study. Darius believed no one truly understood the burden of being in charge, so when his direct reports approached with a plan to enshrine him as the boss of all things, he was flattered and went along. Darius had read all the books on how to empower employees. Additionally, Darius could not possibly attend to the political dynamics afoot, and he was heartened to learn his direct reports had his back. It was helpful when they updated him on those who created trouble. It was good to have his team in place helping to run the organization.

Unfortunately, Darius discovered a problem. Daniel was a favorite employee, and Darius’s decisions put Daniel in jeopardy. Now Darius worked the back channels to save Daniel, but at the end of the day, Darius decided to hold onto his reputation as a decisive leader rather than admit a mistake. He wished Daniel the best in his future endeavors. “God be with you, Daniel. It’s not personal—it’s business.”

It was during a night of sleeplessness, a fairly common situation for most leaders, that Darius had to wrestle with the intent and impact of his decisions. Were his advisors giving good guidance? Was he allowing his ego to lead the way? Was he holding onto to his reputation at the expense of the organization? Was he willing to acknowledge a failed policy and chart a new path?

Leadership is hard. It’s a constant dance to determine the best path forward, the colleagues in whom to place trust, and the ideas to pursue. During my sleepless nights, I must honestly ask if I’m willing to admit failure and learn or am I beholden to a bad idea because it was mine? Am I serving God’s people with a heart intent on justice? Or am I serving myself?

Prayer

God, fix my heart and mind on you. In all my decisions and activities, show me how to serve you through serving people. Leadership is hard, but if you’ve called me into it, you will be faithful to provide what I need. Amen.

Written by Andrea Denney, Executive Director of Operational Ministries

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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