Finding Happiness in Christ (Series 3)Sample

Phil Jackson’s Emptiness

And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you because you obey the voice of the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy 28:2)

Phil Jackson was the coach of the Chicago Bulls basketball team at the time of Michael Jordan. Before becoming a coach, Jackson played for the New York Knicks in the 1970s. During his time at the Knicks, his team won the Championship. Phil had achieved his ultimate goal, a dream he's always wanted to achieve since childhood. When he was in New York, he went out to celebrate the victory with his friends and family. Famous people like Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman filled the diner. 

However, instead of rejoicing, here's what Jackson wrote about his feelings: "The strong feeling of connection with my teammates that I experienced in Los Angeles seems like a distant memory. Rather than being filled with joy, I felt empty and confused. What is this? I kept talking to myself. Is this what should give me happiness? The answer must be somewhere.” It was later that Jackson realized what he was missing. He wrote, “What is missing is spiritual direction.”

Reflection: A heart set on the face of God is an inestimable gift that believers can enjoy. It doesn't matter how much success we can obtain in this world, but there is a greater joy than these things, namely closeness to God.

When we surrender and believe, we find joy in relationships with God and peace in the heart. 

(Susan Sutton)