Thursday, April 8, 2010

April 8, 2010

"But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23

What would you do if you knew you would get away with it? The lure of sin without consequences has always been nearly irresistible since the time of Adam. It is an illusion but a powerful one!

On the other hand, how would it affect your behavior if you remembered that you won't get a way with anything?

The reason I mention this is because the first round of the Masters is being played today and though it is always a major world-class sporting event, but it is bigger that ever with the return of Tiger Woods to competitive golf.

Along with the attention to his exceptional skills as a golfer, there have been unceasing references to his scandalous sexual escapades over the past several years. His once impeccable image has been tarnished forever. Whether he ever becomes more renown for his golf or for his misbehavior remains to be seen.

Much of what has been revealed about his indescretions is very unseemly. I wish I didn't know all that I know about his licensious behavior and I don't care to know any more. But there are a couple of things I find worthy of mention in regard to all the reaction to Tiger's return and about his absence.

I find it refreshing to know that character still counts. Many of us thought that he was a person of great personal discipline and high integrity. We were so wrong. It turns out that he was seriously deficient in both character and integrity.

When it was splashed scandously throughout the media his sponsors began to disassociate themselves from him. They didn't want his disgraceful behavior reflect badly on their products.

Character still counts!

The second reassuring part of this is that morality still matters.

I didn't hear anyone say, "Wow! Being a serial adulterer is a really good thing!"

Everyone everywhere universally condemned his disgusting immorality and how it harmed his reputation, hurt his wife, and jeopardized his future.

In a world were immorality is often admired and moral standards are ridiculed, I found it encouraging to know that morality matters.

The world will be watching to see if he regains the mastery of his golf game. They will continue to watch to see if he can master his behavior.