Tiger

The dichotomy of man is personified in a most dramatic way by Tiger Woods. His recent public commentary was very contrived and wooden. While he is no doubt the world's greatest golfer, he has been kept cloistered by his handlers for good reason; public speaking is not his strong point, neither is publicly reading from written notes on a page. It lacked genuineness. It lacked remorse. It lacked sincerity.

At one point he expressed concern at whether people would ever "believe in me again", as if he is divine or magic or something. What the hell is that about? One massive ego for starters. Yes, he did admit that he felt "entitled" to philander at will. But the proof of his reform from his "addiction" is in the pudding. How he acts from here on out is where it is at. From now on is where the rubber hits the road.

He brought up his religion of Buddhism and how he had failed at living up to the ideals of that. I certainly think that Brit Hume was right about him coming to the cross and giving Christianity a try and asking his wife and children for their forgiveness. This fool does not understand that he is broken. He will never find "Nirvana" unless he discovers the cross first. 

Buddhism teaches that all suffering is caused by craving (covetousness). If that were true, then Job would never have suffered the loss of his children, fortune, health, or the lousy counsel of his friends. But Jobs story was not about suffering; it was about integrity of character, which he had in spades. Perhaps Tiger should study that book and then John.

But the real story here is not so much about Tiger, nor his reprehensible behavior; it should be about the media and his handlers that looked the other way for years as this was happening. How not even one of so many people could not confront him before it all blew up on him is astounding to me.

Perhaps Tiger shouldn't be so worried about being perfect. Accepting brokenness is what truly liberates us not finding some magic path to enlightenment. I feel sorry for him, but unless he comes to the cross he will always wrestle with his own brokenness. He will be cursed with supplanting one aberrant behavior for another.

This is not rock bottom for him yet. He will fall further, unless he comes to the cross with sincerity and no written statements. 

People never "believed in him" to start with. When people saw him golf they said "God has gifted this man indeed"; they believed in God and His ability.

Will Tiger return to prominence in the world of golf? Surely he will one day golf again, but no amount of zen can make up for the moral lapse. In a christian nation like ours he will be forgiven by fans but how far and how fast he returns will be up to him. I posit that the fastest course would be to convert to Christianity and repent.