Watching the Tiger Woods saga unfold has been like watching a slow train wreck.  It just keeps getting worse and the casualties keep piling up.  What has truly been sobering and angering is the white hot media pile on.  This man was the darling of the media world – much of the world in fact (even outside of golf); however, on a dime this world that so “loved” him has turned on him to not only report but utterly destroy him.

Why should I be surprised when in a world of terrorist threats, wars and world wide financial catastrophes our “news” outlets are fixated on a single man foolishly destroying his relationship with his wife and children.  I can remember breaking news being Paris being released from jail.  It’s hard not to be jaded.

That is why when I heard of Brit Hume’s comments on a local radio station that I had to check it out and listen in myself to what he said.  You can listen and watch here:  Leap of Faith

I admire Hume coming out a saying what is on many of our minds.  This man needs a change from the inside – real redemption and forgiveness – the type that will transform his life.  I agree with Hume, Christianity offers this.  Even O’Reilly seemed to miss the point though, it is not about cleaning up his image… it is about redeeming the man’s soul and thus his life.  I believe Hume was pointing beyond the public life to Woods’ private life.  Let the public chips fall where they may – the man needs what we all need – redemption and a relationship with God that brings sense and purpose to life beyond anything material. 

This has been the most constructive and sincerely helpful advice or commentary I have ever heard regarding a public figure’s broken life.  All too often we for some reason delight in their down fall rather than help them up.  It’s as if they had offended us in some way by their success and fame so much so that we want them to fail and suffer.  I mean, I don’t even know these people!  This reminded (aka convicted) me of Psalm 73 and how I can become enamored with the success of the “wicked” and then forget that they have a fate that need to remember will destroy them – it is then that I should grow up and stop envying and start praying for them to come to Christ.

I don’t know what Tiger’s end will be.  I hope through the fog of all that is happening to him, a seed will have been planted and he will turn to God. 

I was also reminded by this whole episode that I am no better in any way than Tiger Woods.  Proverbs 6-7 tell of the dangers of adultery and wandering after women other than my wife.  His tale is not new – sadly nor was the result of his wandering.  The wise will hear and pay attention.  I want to be wise.