The Power of Having A Validator And Being One!

Who is a validator?

A validator is one who validates, or one who certifies, confirms, corroborates, backs up, substantiates, verifies and authorizes. Such a person or persons is important in every walk of life and in every field. They are needed in a family, at work and also in Christian ministry. A validator could be a mentor, a parent, a family member, a co-worker, a team mate, a subordinate, or even a random person.

The validator is one who is convinced of what you are putting forth or articulating. They stand up for you, as those authenticating your plans and goals. They reiterate that what you are saying is the right thing. Coming alongside to support you with facts and figures, examples and evidences, they take off or shield you from the heat of an altercation. Making a space for you when you are backed into a corner, they will uphold you when you are tired or even when you are discouraged.

The power of a validator cannot be underestimated nor can it be sidelined or ignored. They are your support system, and as such, are to be held in honor and respect.

Qualities and Qualifications 

How do choose a validator or what are the qualities you must look for in a validator? What role must you envisage for your validator or for yourself, if you choose to be a validator?

• A validator must have the same focus as you. If there is no oneness and unity between two people, in what they believe or what they work towards, then, obviously one cannot backup the other. When both catch the same vision, then walking together or working together to achieve the same will be a default mode. King Solomon, the Wise, gave the reason for this when he wrote: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
• A validator must complement you. It is important that you do not choose someone similar to you since they will not be able to give another viewpoint. They should not be yes men or women, nor should they be ones who are so insecure as to challenge your assumptions. They would, if you note, be almost your opposites, as they will see things differently and thus, bring a lateral view or another purview. Adding value and content to your ideas, heir input will bring a multi-dimensional nature and expansion to your thinking.  So, if you are a team head or a company head, do not sideline or neglect those who dare to give you another perspective, but value them and treasure their feedback, giving them space to articulate their opinion or outlook, without censure or rancor.
• A validator must not be a competitor. The one who you choose to be your corroborator must be one who complements but does not compete with you. If they view as one to be dethroned or whose position is to be usurped, they will seek to work against you and not for or with you. They will have a hidden agenda to use you, then they will undermine you, though not be visibly, yet often behind your back, and in the due course become your nemesis. King David had his own son do this to him, resulting in him losing his kingdom for a season until he took it back in battle, with his son being killed in battle by his own loyal warriors. Rivalry and competition is unhealthy for growth or peace of mind, and you will end up being in constant unrest and uncertainty, robbing you of energy needed to expend in pursuit of goals.
• A validator should stand in for you or be sent on your behalf when you are unavailable. If you identify someone as one who unstintingly stands by you, you must take pains to validate them in turn by entrusting them with some responsibilities and duties. This is will free up your time and strength, enabling you to give your attention to other matters or spend days with your family or even take a personal vacation or time out. In so doing, you will also be training them in certain skills and acumen you have acquired, passing them to others, effortlessly. Apostle Paul had a young co-worker and an apprentice, Timothy, whom he sent on his behalf when he couldn’t go himself: Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I learn how you are doing. I have nobody else like him who will genuinely care for your needs. For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, that as a child with his father he has served with me to advance the gospel. So I hope to send him as soon as I see what happens with me. And I trust in the Lord that I myself will come soon. If you see potential but will not entrust, chances are that people will get discouraged for being wasted and you may lose them.
• To be a validator yourself, you must be willing to put aside personal animosities and even personality clashes in order to authenticate the one you believe is leading right. Keep your eyes fixed on the goal and the target to be achieved, rather than on proving your point or settling scores. Settle any misgivings or any wrong you may have noted, in private rather than in public, since you are there to help reach the target. To support and stand up for someone who may be putting forth a new but right proposal is daunting, yet rewarding in the long run.
• If you are a validator, do not be afraid to refute and pinpoint errors that one you are validating is unable to see. Have the guts to put forth a dissension or point out an oversight, rather than going with crowds who crib in private while assenting in public. Don’t worry if people tag you as a troublemaker or naysayer, for in the long run they will learn to value your input, especially when it is proved to be providential or timely.
• Seeking to be a validator involves maintaining integrity and probity, in purpose and in outlook. Your aim should be to refine and help bring better results, rather than just raising a query for the sake of it or to show off yourself or just for the heck of playing the devil’s advocate! When others, especially those in leadership, understand your orientation and genuine contribution, your views will be accepted and acknowledged. 

Important Role in Various Spheres

In a family, husband and wife are validators of one another, where, after discussing and arriving at a consensus in what works for the family, they uphold one another before others, including children. If one seeks to undermine the other, the goals and interests of the family will be sacrificed for gaining upper hand over the other, or for the sake of gaining personal victories. The family is more important than the personal dissensions and so, what should drive them should be what is good for all in the family, rather than for their individual ideas.

It is a wise leader who, from day one, is able to spot out and groom his or her validator(s), seeking to establish a relationship of trust and openness as well as accountability with them. Having a couple of team members who are original and true stand as shields to ward off any disturbing elements is worth lowering your guard to be real with them. They will enhance your own skills and acumen, while adding depth to your leadership, will provide cover when you need it and relieve of burdensome tasks when you need it.

The power of having a validator in Christian ministry is immeasurable. They become your armor bearers, covering you with their words and prayers. Ministry heads often live in fear of being usurped and hence rarely raise validators. If at all they do, they choose to surround themselves only with those who nod to all their words and deeds. This is not conducive to growth, both personal and ministry. Most ministers of God seem to fall or fail after a period of time, and this primarily due to not having those who would speak the truth in love. 

Missionaries, in particular, must identify and raise some from the local disciples to be their validators. These will authenticate their message and person, besides being a link to the culture and customs. They will help you to be relevant to the situation and people, enabling you to quickly become acclimatized to thr place you seek to serve.

Promise of Progress

Being a validator is gratifying since you have unparalleled satisfaction of being part of a whole and having played a vital role in fulfilling the target or goal. Often you may be sidelined, neglected or sidelined, but your impact will be far reaching and your rewards solid. You will grow in many ways and multi-dimensionally, ready and prepared to step up when the right opportunity comes, or when unforeseen uplifts happen. Your advancement will be a given, just as the Scripture promises: Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.

As a Christian and follower of Christ, do not fear to be a validator, for you will be imitating the greatest One of all – the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that He will be come alongside as Comforter, Counsellor and Guide. So, don’t hesitate to be or become one!

The Father validated the Son; the Son validated the Spirit; the Spirit validates the church. So, you are and will be in good company!

They may come in all shapes and sizes, and you would need to be quite skilled in zooming in on the right one or ones.

Choose to be a validator and choose one or more to surround you!