Being laid up with a bad back and sciatic nerve has been frustrating to say the least. To not be able to sit down and so much as type a blog is a literal pain. But during this time I have had a chance to observe on a close level our culture through the lens of the media. This past weekend the Masters golf tournament was held, which obviously featured the return of Tiger Woods to the public forum.
Woods is arguably the greatest golfer of all time. As a person who enjoys golf I've always marveled at his skill. That said, what has been revealed about his personal lifesyle over the past few months has also been as eye opening as one of his 330 yard drives. Now understand, I believe in second chances. I believe in 3rd, 4th and 5th chances. I believe people can change. Over the past few months as I've watched Woods apologize profusely for his actions I've hoped for the best and honest repentance.
As our culture has regressed over the last 20-30 years one thing that has truly been lost is the belief of self control over sin. We live in a culture today that not only openly embraces sin but offers its blessing of it. Woods is a prime example of this. When sin is revealed as it was in Woods case, and words of apology spoken, it is the actions that follow that will show us whether the person was sorry for the act or for the fact they were caught. With Woods, he appeared rehearsed but sincere and seemed to say all the right things. Woods even expressed his intention to return to his religious roots in Bhudism. Prior to the golf tournament he even spoke of how his new found self control would be reflected in less emotion on the golf course, both positive and negative. In other words, his famous temper would be under control at the expense of his unbridled enthusiasm expressed in success. Sadly, this self proclaimed change was quickly forgotten this weekend.
Woods was wonderful and humble the first 2 days, as his play was remarkably good for someone who had not played competetively for over 4 months. But as the weekend came and the the pressure mounted, Woods game slipped, and the old Tiger quickly emerged. Poor shots were quickly followed by expletive laced explosions and Tiger fell off the pace. In his post tournament comments, he had an opportunity to once again humble himself and thank the crowd for it's warm embrace of him after all of the embarrassing facts of his behavior had been revealed, but he was totally self focussed.
Contrast this to the past year in the life of winner Phil Mickleson. Mickleson is arguably Woods biggest rival on tour. In the past year both Mickleson's wife and mother were diagnosed with cancer, and Mickleson put his passion for golf on hold to care for his family. When he won going away the tears shed were not for the win, but for his family. Mickleson surely was thrilled with his victory, but it clearly paled in concern for his family. It's always refreshing to see an athlete who is showered with such attention to truly humble himself in regard to others.
What I pray Woods finally realizes is something that Fox News commentator Britt Hume voiced and suffered ridicule for several months ago. That Tiger needs Jesus Christ, not Buddah or counseling in his life. You see, self control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, given only by Jesus Christ. I've often wondered what sort of impact a person of the magnitude Tiger Woods could have if he truly became a born again believer in Jesus. As a fan of his golfing skills I pray for his eternal salvation available only through Jesus. I pray he realizes the sort of change he claims to seek is only available through a spiritual rebirth in Christ. Jesus tells us we will know them "by their fruits." I pray one day we'll see the fruits of Jesus Christ in Woods. We did not see that this past weekend.
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