Out of no where, February 4, 2012, Jeremy Lin was put in the game against the New Jersey Nets... racked up 25 points (and other stats as well) to win the game for the New York Knicks.
Jeremy Lin is a professional basketball player for the NBA. He unexpectedly led a winning turn-around with the New York Knicks in 2012, which generated a global following known as "Linsanity."
After receiving no athletic scholarship offers out of high school and being undrafted out of Harvard University, Lin reached a partially guaranteed contract deal in 2010 with his hometown Golden State Warriors. He seldom played in his rookie season and was assigned to the NBA Development League 3 times. He was waived by the Warriors and the Houston Rockets the following pre-season before joining the New York Knicks early in the 2011–12 season. He continued to be played sparingly (most of the time riding the bench) and again spent time in the Development League.
In February 2012, he led a winning streak for the New York Knicks while being promoted from the bench to the starting lineup. Lin is one of the few Asian Americans in NBA history, and the first American of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to play in the league. He is also known for the public expression of his Christianity. (credit to Wikipedia for this information)
I woke up this morning with the Jeremy Lin story and how he became an overnight sensation weighing heavy on my mind. I looked at a lot of YouTube videos of his sudden sensation and was overwhelmed again by how his talent had gone seemingly unnoticed. Had it been there all the time? Or, had he suddenly came into his own in his association with the Development League? I seriously doubt that. Kobe Bryant stated, "His skill level was probably there from the beginning. It just went unnoticed." The timing was not right. The environment was not right. The circumstances didn't line up during the times when he had been given the opportunity to play. Therefore, he seldom played.
What inspires me most about his story is that Jeremy Lin rode the bench for a long time before the coach suddenly decided to play him one night. But his day of reckoning came and he was able to show the world what he can do. His training and hard work paid off. All things are possible with God on our side. He open doors that cannot be shut and He shut doors that cannot be opened.
God let me know today that I should believe what He says about me... not what they say and certainly not the lie the enemy would have me believe about myself. He said, "The path I have chosen for you will be questionable at times, but rest assured that I GOT YOU! I in you and you in Me. Together we shall. You will make a mark and do exploits."
We should be encouraged that our labor is not in vain in the Lord. The all-seeing and all-knowing God is very aware of our efforts on His behalf to advance the kingdom of God. He said that what we do in secret will be rewarded openly. “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32).
1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Go in peace.