It's the cover up that gets you

(if you did it...admit it)

It’s a story filled with broken rules, broken promises and broken lives. Guidelines were ignored and behavior was overlooked. A cover up ensued and ultimately made the situation immeasurably worse. In the end a man of great influence, wealth and prestige was forced to walk away from the very position he had spent his whole life working towards. No, it wasn’t a politician or a religious figure this time. It was Jim Tressel, head football coach at The Ohio State University.

As a lifelong fan of the team I cringe at the rough times that might be ahead on the field. As an admirer of Jim Tressel I am baffled… he undoubtedly knew better. And I’m disappointed that he put success above principle.

“When I refused to confess my sin my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.” Psalm 32:3-4

King David wrote this after his own Jim Tressel moment. It’s a firsthand account of the personal price paid for trying to keep a lid on the wrong that’s been done. Later in the same chapter David rejoices over the freedom that comes from confessing, from truly being sorry and from asking for and receiving forgiveness.

So let’s learn from the mistakes of others… and jump ahead to the confessing and forgiving part of our own story. It just might make for a happier ending.

Thanks for all you do.

Brian
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Volume 6, Number 11