Michael Phelps

We never like to see a fallen hero.
The romance of the unconquerable athlete who never winces at pain, overcoming impossible odds, along with cancer, blindness, a debilitating handicap, all while speaking ex cathedra and feeding small orphans in Kenya is intoxicating.
But then they come crashing back to Earth and reality and we are all shocked, dismayed, and relieved to remember their humanity weighs them down like it does the rest of us who can't run a 4.5 in the 40 yard dash.
Some are upset that Phelps got caught. Others are disappointed that such a role model would behave so irresponsibly. Either way, the scales have fallen off our eyes.

The only redeeming point in this tragedy is that we can relate. We read of the failures of the Old Testament saints, the bumbling disciples, and the folly of our forefathers in church history, and we are comforted with a glimpse of familiarity. These aren't cliched metaphorical characters, they are you, and they are me. Show me an infallible man, and I'll start the stopwatch. It's only a matter of time! The Bible tells us that if we think we are standing firm...watch out!

Welcome to Earth, Michael. It's a rough landing, but at least you hit the water.