Me and Ted

I don't know much about Ted Haggard. I only heard of him through a few Christianity Today articles I read about him. Actually, I didn't read the articles that closely. I only knew that he was head of some evangelical group that was fairly large and held a good bit of political power. I knew that he had had some contact with President Bush and other political figures, so he was conservative socially.

When I read on Drudge report that a prominant evangelical leader had been accused of sexual misconduct, I assumed it was probably sexual harrasment of female co-worker or perhaps he'd had an affair. I was shocked when I learned the details of the misconduct. They are fairly well-known so I won't go into them.

My first reactions were pretty common ones, I expect. I basically said what hubris he must have had to think that he can get away with something like that. I wasn't suprised because as the adage goes, power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. When one deals in power, he may consider himself above the law. If you think you stand, be careful, you might fall soon. I also thought well, no wonder he came out so strong in certain moral issues. Perhaps he was attacking the sin in his life that he recognized, but couldn't or wouldn't address. I also thought the sharks are gonna come out for this. A preacher speaks out against moral decay and ends up in the middle of it. That's juicy stuff.

The thing is, I was just like those sharks. A man, and Ted Haggard is, above all other things, a man, had fallen, hard. His reckless decision had just destroyed his wife. He had children, who are no doubt crushed. They will carry the scars for a long time, probably forever. He was a friend to some and a pastor to others. Not only was he hurting, but those around him were devestated. And instead of coming along side him and given him a cool drink of water, I had spit in his face.

The second thing is that, the road he walked down is not far from the road I walk down. Inside us all, even those who have received Jesus and are walking his path, there is that old man who won't die. Paul called it the flesh. Another author I read called it an assassin, waiting to kill us. Whatever you call it, I am not any different than Ted Haggard.

I'm glad that God reminded me to pray for Ted Haggard.