Jeremy Lin was at the epicenter of the pro basketball world during the 2011-2012 NBA season. He was a backup bench player but came to prominence when he filled in for an injured starter for the New York Knicks. For a brief period, everyone was fixated on this overlooked and minor role player. As a point guard, he ignited the team with his exciting play. The public went wild and the press dubbed it Linsanity! For those who are unfamiliar or desire a trip down memory lane, here is a link.
When Jeremy Lin Took Over the NBA “Linsanity” – YouTube
How did Lin respond?
Ironically, when others were going insane over his playing, Lin was calm and introspective. Lin’s story was even more compelling because of his strong witness and testimony as a believer in Jesus Christ. When he reflected upon his career in the NBA, he stated, “My legacy with the world would be, I would want them to know that I lived for God, I was faithful in my life…A lot of it really is just faith in God’s divine plan. I remember when I made it to the NBA, I remember I actually, physically wrote down a list one day and I was like, ‘If any of these one things didn’t happen, I wouldn’t be here today. It was a long list of maybe about 13 to 15 things, and I made sure that everything on that list was out of my control…so that’s the first thing I need to do is not take credit for a lot of outside things.”
As a professional athlete, Lin could have basked in his fame. Instead he used his unique position to share his testimony. He was practically living the admonition that the Apostle Paul gave to his followers.
Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NASB)
Presently, Jeremy Lin’s professional basketball career is winding down and Linsanity is just a footnote in basketball history. Whatever accolades the world showered upon him, Lin was only focused upon one thing, to give glory and honor to Jesus Christ and encourage others by spreading the Gospel.
That’s not insane. This is God’s will for our lives.
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 