Here are two things I've been thinking about in regard to Tiger Woods. If you're not aware of what is going on with him, google it.

The first thing I'd like to point out is that Tiger did not become famous because of his parenting or marital skills. America is obsessed with the best of everything. And Tiger is the best golfer in the world, arguably in the top 5 of all time. He has reignited golf in the States single-handedly. We love him because he's good at golf. Why should we be surprised or even upset that he cheated on his wife? America didn't love him because he was a good husband. We love him because he's a good golfer. That's what he claims to be. I'm not condoning his actions because they're obviously wrong and harmful. (Although I wonder if society would really say it's wrong. Adultery is so commonplace now that we've become immune to it.) My point is that the problem does not solely lie with Tiger Woods, but with our obsession with celebrities and wanting to be the best. It can't be healthy how we exalt people like we do. Someone is good at one thing, and we look to them as a god. Then when that person messes up and proves his or her humanity, we're outraged and crushed almost! Come on guys! Tiger Woods is a human person in need of redemption. He has the same capabilities for disgusting behavior as you and I have. We've got to stop worshiping celebrities. Especially those of us who are citizens of Christ's kingdom. We're supposed to have a different standard for success. The kingdom of God says "the first will be last and the last will be first." It is measured more by what we're willing to give up rather than what we have. So while Tiger Woods desperately needs fulfillment that can only be found in Christ, we've got to learn that he's just a guy who is good at golf. There's nothing wrong with using him as an example of a great golfer, because he is, but exalting him to the status he was at is unhealthy and should make us do a double-take on our priorities. Sorry for getting preachy. On to point number 2 . . .

The second thought is that in a way, we created Tiger Woods' downfall. Like I mentioned in point #1, we love Tiger Woods because he is the best golfer in the world. But here's the thing, in order for someone to be the best golfer in the world, he or she is almost required to neglect his or her family. The practice time it takes, the amount of time spent away from home, the time spent on the green, shooting commercials. To be the best golfer in the world, you almost HAVE to neglect your family. If you don't spend all your time doing it, then you won't be the best! It's the nature of the sport. It's the nature of the American Dream. You gotta be the best, and you gotta do whatever it takes to get there. The message we are sending is that fulfillment and satisfaction comes when people think and know you are the stuff. Hey man, if that's what brings satisfaction in life, then neglect whoever it takes for you to get there!

It really does make me sad though because fulfillment in life does not and cannot come from these type of things. It seems like it would because we all have a desire to be acknowledged, to have people think we are awesome. But that kind of power and popularity comes and goes like the wind. We've got to find fulfillment in something deeper, more powerful, transcendent even. I just happen to believe it can only be found in the God-Man, Jesus of Nazareth. What better way than to fill our souls than to drink from the fountain of life.

Jacob