Westside Church

December 01, 2009
by Pastor Jeremiah

The recent buzz surrounding Tiger Woods little accident over the weekend has peaked my curiosity more than most of the celebrity gossip that is out there.  I could care less about another Brittany Spears meltdown, or the latest appearance of Michael Jackson (is he really dead?), or Jessica and Tony's rocky relationship, but this Tiger Woods story is surprising.  Tiger is the model of perfection.  He doesn't make mistakes.  He has the perfect golf swing that can be repeated under pressure time and time again.  His putting stroke is flawless even in the most pressure packed scenario.  He has the perfect family with two kids and two dogs.  Do I need to mention his perfect bank account, or his beautiful mansion.

I don't want to contribute to the gossip, but let's be honest, something is up at the Woods residence.  You don't bust out windows with golf clubs to rescue people and 2:30am is not a very reasonable hour for the ultra responsible Tiger to be taking a joyride in his SUV.  That being said, it appears that Tiger's perfect reputation may have a blemish.  

 Like I said, normally these stories don't interest me, but I feel my base nature drawn towards the latest scoop on the Woods story.  Why?  Is it jealousy?  Is it my desire for fairness?  Why am I secretly wanting to hear something huge, a real shocker that would threaten Tiger's perfect reputation?  I could cop out and say, “well, I guess it's just my human nature”.  I suppose it is, but let me confess something ...I struggle with feeling that somehow I don't measure up.  I look at someone like Tiger Woods who is so talented, so disciplined, so decorated, so ...perfect and I can't help but feel like a failure in comparison.  I know, I know it's childish.  

 I feel an unfortunate camaraderie with the Pharisees and teachers of the law who were itching to hear of any mistakes Jesus would possibly make (not that Tiger is like Jesus, but I am like a Pharisee).  They set traps for him and tested his perfection.  I think they were upset because of certain comments Jesus made like, “Be perfect, therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt. 5:48)  That statement combined with, “Whoever has seen me, has seen the Father” (Jn. 14:9) must have bothered them.  Just a guess.  And yet as a Christian, I find hope in Jesus call for my perfection.  “God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us” (2 Cor. 5:21).  While I can't live Tiger's perfect life, Jesus offers his perfect life for me.  That's the kind of life I desperately need.  Besides, I hate golf!

*If you've been looking for a Seattle area church, we invite you to join us at Westside church this Sunday!