We have met the enemy

There are consequences to sin, anyone's and everyone's sin.

The woes continue for professional golfer Tiger Woods off the course. Last year, Electronic Arts made the golfing great share the cover of his bestselling game with Northern Irish rookie Rory McIlroy for the first time ever. This year, following the controversy away from the green and lackluster play on it, Woods has been dropped from the cover of the March 29th release of "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters" on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii. In other words, because of adultery, Tiger Woods won't be on the cover of HIS OWN game.

George Will, in an op-ed piece in the local paper today writes, "American life resembles "a giant all-you-can-eat buffet" offering "calories, credit, sex, intoxicants" and other invitations so promiscuously that bad decisions about smoking, eating, drinking and other behaviors account for almost half of U.S. deaths in "our losing war with ourselves."

Sin isn't just about the moment. It's about forever.

Despite those consequences, however, there is a light at the end of the very dark tunnel. The prophet Isaiah harps about the lack of commitment and the amount of sin his countrymen had been involved in for chapter after chapter. But Isaiah says despite all that has been done, there will come a day. He writes, "In that day you will sing: “I will praise you, O Lord! You were angry with me, but not any more. Now you comfort me.
See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.” With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation! In that wonderful day you will sing: 'Thank the Lord! Praise his name!' Tell the nations what he has done.
Let them know how mighty he is! Sing to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things. Make known his praise around the world. Let all the people of Jerusalem shout his praise with joy! For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.”

Victory!
Salvation!
Lives among us.!

I spent some time with a dear lady at an assisted living home yesterday and we talked about living in the now, in the moment, today. Not worrying about tomorrow's aches and pains and bills. Not dwelling on yesterday. She told me that she dreamed the night before that her husband, who has been gone now quite a while, came to her and took her shopping. She could walk again, and they had a wonderful time together. I watched her eyes as she spoke, and the goodness and the joy were evident.

I told her, you will do that again, which I believe the scriptures tell us. Oh, no shopping; thank God. But we will recognize our loved ones, and there will be joy in that day.

Why? If sin has such consequence, how can we survive our own decisions, our own mistakes long enough to have a day like that?

Jesus. Only Jesus. His blood make sit possible to escape the sins, mistakes, problems of our lives. They still have consequence, but they don't have to have eternal consequence.

The cartoon character Pogo once said long ago, "We have met the enemy and he is us." We have met sin and it is us.

But...we have met the Savior, and he is ours, as well.