October 30. Your Honor, I Make An Oath.

As an entrepreneur or leader, we cannot help but to be disappointed occasionally. Our value proposition systems and people are going to have failures. When that happens, disappointment is likely to appear. But when it does, our leadership might make the difference.

When things fail with a product, one might make excuses, find fault, and focus on just mitigating the risk of the transaction. But leaders of value propositions want more. They start with why and that why lives as an oath. Where have you made an oath?

Is your value proposition so strong that you meet it as if it were an oath? Making an oath is a matter of honor! One does what he or she can to protect their honor. Keeping an oath has a cost. We are willing to bypass shortcuts that might save money. We will forego activities and opportunities because we have made an oath.

It can be costly, but it has been said that there is never a wrong time to do the right thing. It is always right to keep your oath and protect your honor. When you think of the people, teams or companies that have made an oath to you as a customer, how do you feel when they meet it?

Oaths that are kept and met continuously develop value, loyalty, and long-term profits. Do you have an attitude that allows you to make an oath or is your attitude one that pushes them away? Where have your team and you made an oath recently?

If you have not made one, today might just be the best day to do so.

You do not have to be a Christian to know of Jesus. I ask, do you think that Jesus was an honorable man? As a follower, this is an important decision. As his disciples, we are to live our lives like he did. We read, “Even so, he saved them— to defend the honor of his name and to demonstrate his mighty power.” Psalms 106:8 NLT.

I have heard some people say that they like Jesus Christ but do not care for his Christians. I think that is because we sin and fall short. But making an oath, giving our word, and making a promise that is kept honors Jesus. What oaths have you made this year?

I like to think that an oath is a promise made to another. But when I make an oath to another it is Jesus who serves as my witness and accountability partner. Our word, which is our oath, is a promise we make and make every effort to not break. People can be and often are afraid to make an oath.

It hurts when others break a promise that was made to you. For that reason, we can tend to avoid making an oath to not cause pain to others. What oaths, if any, did you make this year to start it? What work do you need to do to finish them? What is the first thing you can do about it in the next seven days?

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, we come to you as a people who have received a promise. You have given us the promise of Jesus Christ. When we come to meet you, the most honorable judge, Jesus will be at your right hand. We want to claim him and him to claim us.

Guide us today to make oaths that honor him. May the honors of this world always be secondary to the honor we give you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,