“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The company, Target, had their bulls eye painted on their chest this past week.  We all read about the loss of nearly 40MM sets of credit card data.  What we didn’t know, because they told us it hadn’t happened, was that the PIN numbers were compromised as well.  Once that truth came to light, then all of their credibility was lost and they now have a real consumer problem on their hands.  It begs the question, “Why didn’t they just tell the whole truth the first time?”  There are so many examples we have of other companies who get in a crisis that it’s not like any of us are learning this for the first time. We also know that the companies that are applauded for their transparency and forthright actions are the ones that we remember positively and keep on buying and consuming from them.  Target chose the other path, or it so appears, and that might well haunt them for many years to come.

We are completing this holiday season and for any of us who have been in church and trying to intentionally celebrate this most wonderful season, we have been doing our best to stay close to the truth of Christmas.  Sure, it’s been great to have family and friends around.  The gifts were fun and appreciated.  The days away from work have been restful.  But, we also have tried to stay grounded to the truth that Christmas is about the celebration of the birth of Christ.  Standing by the truths and standing up for the truth is a hard thing in our world.  As we close 2013 and look forward, one place we can become stronger and more effective in our example setting to others is to be the one who always looks to truth to rule the daily big and small decisions in our work and lives.  How we live for the Truth will be an indication to others on who we are – like our PIN to the world.  Let’s be sure that we are never “PIN”-ed down for the wrong reasons.

Reference: John 8:32 (New Living Translation)