Seeking a Homeland for here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come

"The game of basketball is everything to me - it's where I go to find comfort and peace - it's my refuge...it's been a place of the up most pain, joy, and satisfaction. It's been a relationship that has evolved over time...Don't be surprised if you see me playing the game at 50."

I found this to be the most telling quote from Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame speech. The sad reality for the greatest basketball player of all-time is that he has achieved as much as he can in this life. What does he have left to look forward too? If basketball was the fulfillment of all his desires what happens now that he has lost his ability to play? Clearly it's despair and anger (man he lit up some guys in his speech) over the loss of the only thing that gave him joy. Michael Jordan has relied on his own strengths (which are considerable, but still lacking for joy) to bring him peace - he has relied on his own competitive drive to bring him to the point that he is at today. He has built a kingdom in his own image, but after finishing the final touches of his palace of basketball glory (think "the final shot" with limp, follow through motion as he tore the heart out of Byron Russell and the Utah Jazz) - he has found that all he can do now is look at his mansion. Yes, Jordan's accomplishments might be the best any sport's figure has ever put together - but do they bring lasting joy - is it enough for MJ to dwell on his career for the rest of his life? Will that bring him peace? Clearly not.

What does he do now for joy?
Who does he turn to?

Oh, how I pray that the fiercest competitor the NBA and most-probably the sporting world has ever seen will one day find satisfaction in the One who is all satisfying - the only one who provides satisfaction that will never tarnish or age. The One who gives living waters for ever-thirsty tongues.

Compare Jordan's speech to David Robinson's speech, 1/3 of the length of MJ's but full of genuine thankfulness, joy, and most of all fulfillment. There is no doubt in anyone's mind when they watch these two interviews - who they would rather be - given the choice. After speaking to each one of his sons and his wife directly, pointedly, and affectionately Robinson says the following,
"God has followed me in my career and blessed me and encouraged me if there is anybody who knows me or anybody has watched me you have seen his hand in my life and my prayer is that he will walk with you as he has walked with me all through my life."
A clear testimony to God's faithfulness and joy-giving in the life of David Robinson. I am thankful for men like David Robinson - a player that I looked up to as a boy (he was in my blessed triumvirate of sport's heroes - along with Troy Aikman and Jeff Bagwell ) - whose life exudes satisfaction, joy, and obedience for the only One who is worthy of it.