Dear Tiger...
On behalf of millions of people who are "for you," our hearts go out to you and your family. Obviously, your life is in turmoil right now in every area -- morally, relationally, financially, professionally, and spiritually.
You may be feeling hopeless -- like there's no way out. In one sense, that's true. You will have to pass through this "dark night of the soul." But you can get through this. You will be getting lots of advice for your professional career and public life. Here are a few thoughts for your personal life.
That you have sinned is obvious, but so have we all. We all like sheep have gone astray. In fact, I doubt anyone reading this would, at the end of any day, want to receive what they actually deserve-justice. No, what we all really want is grace, mercy, forgiveness, love, peace, contentment, and redemption.
Jesus told a parable about a young man who moved away from his father and squandered his money on wild living. When the son came to his senses, he longed to go home but was filled with shame. He decided to go to his father and say, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men."
But when the father saw his son approaching, he was filled with compassion, ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. He said, "He was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."
Tiger, this can be your story too-anyone's story. What God wants more than anything else in the world is a reciprocal love relationship with each of us.
I've been helping men walk through crises for several decades. What's done is done. As they say, you can't unscramble an egg. What happens next is what really counts. In my experience, nothing good seems to happen until a man stops, examines his life, reconciles with God, and then makes needed changes based on a commitment to God's larger purposes for his life.
Many of your fellow PGA peers are men of faith. You know who they are, or can easily find out. I suggest you quietly get with one or a few of them and ask them to help you "come home." There is a process. It includes concepts like conviction, contrition, repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness, and faith. It takes time.
God loves you very much. Use this crisis to find your way home. Incidentally, keep your spiritual life private. Any spiritual claims would be immediately pounced upon as "jailhouse" religion. You are in our prayers.
