More Joy

More Joy

In my interview with four-time World Series champion Darryl Strawberry, or D-Straw, as he is called, he told me he was so miserable before he found Christ that when he signed a $20 million contract, he found no joy in it. You may remember Darryl’s story. It begins with abuse from an alcoholic father, a rebellion and hardening of heart as a teenager, and a gifted athletic background that lifted him out of that world and drove him to prove his father wrong.

Darryl’s story continues as one embattled with the trappings of success. On his first road trip in the big leagues, veteran players exposed him to the fast life of Major League Baseball, which included cocaine, strip clubs, and lots of wild parties. As a result, Darryl became addicted to women, alcohol, and drugs. Darryl got into great trouble and lost his family, his career, and even his freedom when he served time in prison.

Yet Darryl Strawberry found true joy when he turned it all over to the Lord. He submitted everything to the lordship of Christ and committed to growing in his relationship with Christ. Darryl found the truth of Psalm 4:7, which states, “You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.”

Now full of joy, Darryl preaches the gospel that saved him to crowds all over the United States, and he helps others recover from addiction. Do you have the joy that Psalm 4:7 describes? Remember, nothing that has been made was designed to satisfy your heart. That place is reserved for the Lord.

You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.

Psalm 4:7