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Whatever happened to truth tellers?
Stories on the bravery of whistle blowers and those with the courage to confront predatory behavior have dominated the headlines recently. Those victims are to be commended for their willingness to stand up to injustice, and a lot has been written about the courage needed to speak about their traumatic experiences. Other accounts have focused on those who, by their silence or attempts to cover up, were complicit in the harassment.
Some of the outrage has been aimed at those who minimize the allegations, demonize the accusers, or promote toxic cultures. There seems to be an endless supply of enablers, spin doctors, and publicists who make excuses, twist facts and work behind the scenes to hide the truth. Corrupt politicians, greasy-handed alumni, and look-the-other-way athletic directors abound, but what about the good guys?
Are there any people who, like Nathan in 2 Samuel 12, will confront a superior about an offense?
That’s what I want to see, men who are not afraid to stand up for what’s right and who will hold leaders’ feet to the fire, men who will see through groupthink and rationalization, men who refuse to place party allegiance over personal integrity. I want to see someone who is on the side of truth.
It’s easy to want to see that in the bullies of the world, but do I want to see that in my life? Do I want someone who will hold me accountable?
Do you?
My default is to call for accountability in others — especially those power-hungry egomaniacs with deep character flaws — yet refuse to allow it in my own life.
Do I really want someone who’s willing to jack me up when I step out of line, someone who requires integrity and holds me accountable? Do I really want a hunting buddy who reminds me that stepping from my property to the neighboring field makes me a poacher not a hunter and that licenses aren’t optional — even if I’m only going one time?
Ok, so now that you put it that way, no.
More times than I want to admit, I want the guy who’ll laugh at my off-color jokes and not ask what they indicate about my heart. I want someone who’ll affirm my snide comments, who “knows” I didn’t really mean it, and who’ll give me a pass because I’ve had a rough day. I want someone who encourages me to respond like a jerk when someone acts like a jerk to me.
I’m sure that’s what David wanted, someone who could sympathize, rationalize, or just look the other way. But that’s not what he needed.
It’s not what you or I need, either.
Most of us have friends who are with us, who share a long history, who laugh at our jokes, enjoy whatever perks come with our relationship, but who are not necessarily for us. Though well-meaning, these guys are ultimately in it for themselves and for whatever payoff they receive by being with us. Unfortunately, you never know this until your world falls apart. When it does, these guys scatter like those “friends” who encouraged you to throw a pack of firecrackers in the bonfire.
Not so with Nathans.
Nathans are for you and will be there for you. They desire character, integrity, goodness. They will insist on virtue and stay with you as it is being developed. Nathans want you to flourish, not because it gives them job security or a sense of importance, but because they desire that you be all that God has called you to be.
We’ve all been around folks who love to point out where we’ve done wrong, how we’ve missed the mark, or fallen short. The issue is not with their willingness to confront, it’s with their motivation. When someone is driven by a desire to make others look bad in order to look better themselves, you can be sure they are not a Nathan.
Nathan is not out to get you. He is there to help you up, not put you down. He does not get a perverse thrill by seeing you stumble. He does not sit in the seat of judgement ready to throw the hammer down.
Nathan is for you.
Clavin's lore 