There's a Little Bit of Tiger Woods in All of Us
Well, there has been a lot in the news of late concerning golfing great Tiger Woods. Woods has, arguably the most recognizable name in sports. In addition to his golf prominence he has multiple product endorsements which have been lucrative beyond most of our wildest dreams. Most dream of a possessing a million dollars, while the super-rich and super-famous like Tiger woods have a net worth more in the billion dollar range!
Woods is a perfect illustration of the story told by the writer of Ecclesiastes. One can go after more wealth, more fame, more status, even more “women” in the pursuit of ultimate fulfillment, but in the end one is left empty, longing , and pining for their own soul. Solomon literally had it all where earthly wares were concerned – the highest office, wealth beyond compare, the utmost in status, not to mention 700 wives and 300 concubines! Literally he had enough sexual partners that it would take him more than 3 years to spend only one night with each! Maybe the Islamic terrorists need to read about Solomon and re-evaluate whether the 70 virgins they are “supposedly” promised for killing others is really worth it!
Interestingly enough, as Solomon came to the end of his life and as his focus became more and more on the summation of all his life had entailed, he had little use for all those things he pursued throughout his life. In fact as the book ends he ultimately sums things up by saying in 12:13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God and keep His commandments for this is man’s all.” His gold and silver could not satisfy, nor could his status as King. Even the possession of 1000 women whom were at his disposal was of no value to him. Still he says, life is really all about serving God and fulfilling His commandments; for this is our compelling duty!
How many men and women have spent their lives chasing after that job promotion – a little more status and a little more money? I recently read a statistic that 25% of men “admit” having extra-marital affairs. More than half of all men admit regularly looking at pornography on the internet. Is this what God wanted for our lives? To sneak around behind our spouse’s back, meeting at a roach infested motel for a cheap thrill? Is our own self esteem that low that we would degrade ourselves like that? Would we set at a computer screen until our eyes hurt staring at doctored up images which are nothing more than a perversion of the beauty God created to be enjoyed in a special way with our help-meet? Study after study has shown that the happiest and most fulfilled people are those in committed relationships, and it only gets better when those people are men and women of faith. Even the life expectancy is longer for those doing it God’s way. God wants what is best for us and He has even told us what is the best. When we drift outside of His best, we are setting ourselves up for failure. Having an affair is building a house of cards. It is not a matter of “if” but a matter of “when” it will all come crashing down.
At this point, Tiger Woods has, up to 8 different women, coming forward claiming to have had some sort of sexual relationship with him. Who knows what is actually true or not true, but we can say with confidence he has been unfaithful and exercised very poor and destructive judgment.
Sin can cause calluses to form on our hearts. Sometimes I wonder how hard it is for a person to have that first affair. Does it get easier after that? Evidently it does. The thought of hurting my wife like so many, including Woods, have hurt their wives literally brings tears to my eyes. I can say with confidence, there is not another human being on the planet that is worth it to me. Sin for most people appears to be a game. There is the thrill of the chase, the pursuit, maybe those butterflies in the stomach. Well, after 16 1/2 years of marriage, I have more butterflies than ever before for my wife. Isn’t that the way it is supposed to be? I observe some older couples who are deeply in love and are the apple of one another’s eye. I observe some who, for some reason, hardly have a kind word to say about the other – how tragic! Their marriages, at this point are nothing more than a living arrangement of convenience.
It really makes no difference how much money we have – little or much, or how much stress we have in our lives, or how we perceive our spouse treats us, or whether or not they “understand.” In the end it is still about the commitment we have made to one another and vowing before God. It is about pouring our lives into one another. It is about working day and night to make the other one happy and secure, and helping each other live up to his/her God-given potential. Those who do not expect much from themselves are dragging their spouse right down with them. And, there is a lot of arguing, fighting, and even going separate ways, down there at the bottom! I would say it like this – anyone willing to commit adultery with you is not worth committing adultery with!
Husbands and wives, you may not realize it but when you snap at your spouse or, even worse, talk negatively about them to another person you are belittling your marriage, the institution of marriage itself, and even yourselves personally. Because, you see, the majority of the self esteem we have comes from our spouse. None of us are perfect. My wife and I recognize that dangers lurk around every corner. We further recognize that we are human beings and we are vulnerable to a whole host of things, therefore we work proactively to protect ourselves, each other, and our family from the onslaught of potential attacks which loom. Maybe you did not know it, but Christians are in a war these days. Satan’s attack has been on the “home” now for decades. If he can destroy the family, he will have captured society.
It is time we wise up and realize what is going on. Quit taking our marriages and the life-partners God has given, for granted and work hard to make them strong. Do you want to be the next Tiger Woods? I say to you from the bottom of my heart, I would not take all the enormous wealth and fame he possesses in exchange for the wonderful marriage I have. Not even close! I would not throw away joy and bliss for worthless junk! Be careful my friends!
In Christ,
Pastor Allen Raynor