Today's personal journal is about a current matter. Like many, I have followed the recent events of Tiger Woods. I am saddened for him at the extreme inner hurt, turmoil and pain he is suffering. As I am in my Second 50, I admittedly see extra-marital affairs from a different perspective. I am now an old man looking at the actions of a young man. Regrettably, like many men in their Second 50 of life, I can relate.
The temptations Tiger must face are many. On top of the temptations, is the natural impulse to mate and experience intimacy with the opposite sex. We are born to mate. There is a pain we must endure in saying no to sexual pleasure and sexual intimacy outside of the boundaries that the Bible and society sets forth.
I am reminded of the many great men, i.e. Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, President Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jesse Jackson, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and the unknown men like myself who share this trait called humanity that often betrays one's sense of judgment when the need and want for sexual intimacy is stirred. Tiger Woods was correct to call these 'personal sins'. The transgressions are not simply a violations of a moral code, or even the wedding vow, but a transgression again the Creator of the Universe who in His wisdom established a code of conduct that is best for the inner soul of each man.
This historical figure named Jesus summoned a small group from the multitudes who were following him to share private times. (Mark 3:13). That alone must have been inspirational. From this small group, 'He also' appointed twelve to be disciples, or apostles -- and He gave them a mission. It is hard to reconcile this mission to preach and heal with the notion that this historical figure called Jesus was simply a great man.
A 'great man' would not give such a mission. I wonder what they would say to the Tiger Woods of history, or the simple, unknown men of history, like this author, who also display their failures and weaknesses.
