Tiger and the Family
ESPN – “Will the PGA Tour survive?” The question seemed out of place, discombobulated from the real issue. Unarguably the greatest golfer in the world is having marital problems and ESPN is asking a question – a trite one. “Can golf survive the fall of Tiger?” I look up from what I am doing, I face the TV monitor, and I emphatically talk back. “You are asking the wrong question!”
Tiger Wood’s “infidelities” are not about golf. It may affect the bottom financial line of golf, but is entirely not about the game. What we see and hear about Tiger is about marriage and family, about character and conduct. It is about sin not strokes, about missing the mark, not missing a tee time. There are important things to learn from Tiger’s wayward life in the rough, things that will warn us and improve this one shot at life. Consider just two penalties when landing out of bounds..
First, sin destroys relationships. According to Genesis, the primary relationship we enjoy is with our Creator. The second is with our spouse and subsequently with our children. Sin is a tiger, a predator, a lion, seeking to devour us and our relationships. Sin erodes trust. Sin is worse than a sand trap, it is quicksand. All we hold dear about our relationships with the course Designer and with those trying to play life’s game, is no match for the deep bunker of sin.
Second, sin destroys our profession. Not only may Tiger lose his family, he may lose all he hoped to attain in his golfing career. Accenture and other sponsors have dropped Tiger from their ads. The records Tiger was shooting for are on indefinite hold. The biblical record is replete with examples of professional loss. King David lost his moral authority and his hope for a peaceful family when he committed adultery. Solomon divided and lost the nation because of his political marriages. Samson lost God-given strength when he toyed with a sensuous and diabolical woman. The very things we were meant to accomplish are often lost in the hazard of sin.
Fortunately there is an answer to personal sin. The blood of Jesus was spilt that we might have forgiveness of sin. Paul wrote, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.” (Eph 1:7) The writer of Hebrews taught that “all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Heb 9:22) Blood cleanses us from all sin.
Make a commitment to escape the wayward shots of sin. Here are just a few suggestions: (1) Make yourself accountable to other believers. Play the game of life with at least a foursome. Men especially need to be accountable to other godly men. Men fall into temptation when they separate themselves from the group of other Christ followers. (2) Stay in the Word. God’s rulebook is necessary to play life’s game well. The Word of God keeps the mind fresh and focused on God-honoring behavior. The Psalmist said, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.” (Ps 119:9) (3) Attend Bible Study and Worship regularly. Not only does consistently attending the public gathering of believers help establish accountability, it encourages the heart to stay spiritually healthy. God’s gallery, the church, is not a club, it is a gathering of like-hearted people seeking to grow in knowledge and passionately worship Jesus Christ.
Have a personal and professional happy new year in Christ!
Dr. Michael Wright
