Any NBA basketball fans out there? If you are a fan of the NBA, then you will know that Lebron James recently broke the all-time scoring record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar since 1984.1 It was a scoring record that most said would never be broken. Yet, Lebron broke it. How did Lebron manage to do something most said was impossible? His God-given ability to play the game of basketball is certainly a factor. However, this alone was not enough. Beyond his talent, Lebron was also on a mission. A mission to be considered the greatest basketball player of all time.
Now consider the tragic story of Jack Whittaker. In 2002, Jack was the lucky winner of the biggest lottery jackpot at the time, $314 million! Before winning the lottery, Jack was already wealthy, having run a successful construction business. He was also happily married and a respected member of his community and local church. However, in a matter of just a few years, his life fell apart due to alcoholism and other vices. He managed to squander all his money, his wife eventually left him, his house burned down and his granddaughter died of a drug overdose. At the end of his life, he expressed regret at having won the lottery.2
Ironically, this regret is common with many people who win the lottery. Why? Perhaps it is because the fame and fortune that comes with winning the lottery, did not also come with a purpose or mission. The lack of mission caused Jack Whittaker to spiral out of control, wreaking havoc on his once well-ordered, purposeful life.
While there are certainly many differences between Lebron James and Jack Whittaker, one key difference is mission or purpose. Having a specific mission in life is essential to creating a well-balanced, stable and joyful life. Let’s discuss this further from a Christian perspective.