NBA sensation and Chinese-American basketball player Jeremy Lin gave his testimony of God’s guidance in his life to fans in Hong Kong at the “Linsanity” evangelism conference on August 26th.
Hong Kong Asia-Pacific Exhibition Centre was packed with fans with no empty seats. The majority of the attendants were youths, and many fans wore jerseys with the number “17” or “LINSANITY” to support and view this event.
A Rebellious Youth
Since Lin’s initial rise to fame, the term “Linsanity” has appeared countless times. “I wish to use my own small life testimony to act out the ‘Linsanit’ in my heart.”
The 24-year-old NBA superstar jokingly shared an example of his youth rebelliousness nature in how he would always bump his head against the wall, but until this one time that his mom finally couldn’t stand him anymore and grabbed his head and rammed it into the wall. Feeling the real pain, he finally his fault and has not did the same thing again. He expressed his gratitude towards his family for their unrelenting love.
Depend on God in times of adversity
In his early career stages, Lin had very few opportunities to play in the game and even if he did, his performed poorly, so he was forced to be benched. That was the lowest point in his basketball career. Prior to the games, he would be very nervous and filled with anxieties that led to insomnia. He wrote in his diary that “basketball is no longer fun”, “I am a failure”, and other similar words. There were many nights that he cried in tears which left deep impressions in him. It was then that Lin prayed to God that if this year is the last year that I will play in NBA, then I will play basketball for God only.
A Ballgame Together with God
That was when God started moving; NBA had its first salary wave within the last 13 years, causing the basketball season to be shortened. This gave Lin the opportunity to play, leading his team to a consecutive seven wins. He believes that this is God’s miraculous work.
In the first of the seven consecutive wins, Lin was able to play because many of his team’s starting players were absent, which was the determining point for his rise to fame. He thanked God and returned to the lockers in excitement, where the shower water and his tears blurred, and it continued to flow down.
One victory after another, Lin scored with a special play during the game against Los Angeles Lakers, where he turned and pass the defender and scored with a layup. The assistant coach asked him when did he learn to play like that, and he said that “I have never tried a 360 degree turn layup. The supernatural God is like inside of me and controlling my body, hands, and feet.”
Lin told the fans in Hong Kong that in the game that defeated the Toronto Raptors the winning three-point shot was the only three-point shot that he made in the entire season. He knows that every game God is using him. He is together with God and playing ball for God.
Only faith in God can bring true satisfaction
“And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to this purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Lin shared a Bible story about a woman going to a well to draw water, where she met Jesus. Then, Jesus said to the woman, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” The water from the well is like the various superficial joy of this world, such as how I want to win today’s game, then the next game, then the NBA championship, and finally the world championship. This insatiable desire actually can only be satisfied in God, where there is true joy and contentment.
Moreover, Lin said that in the lowest valley of despair and disappointments God’s hands have never left him and have guided him everywhere. Whether in good times or in times of adversity, it will become beautiful in God’s hands.
“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Matthew 16:26)
That day, everyone who attended the event received a bracelet with the phrase “Romans 5:3-5” and “The Story Behind Linsanity” engraved on it. A middle-aged man who wore a number 17 jersey said that he brought his wife and daughter to the event not only to see the real Jeremy Lin in person, but also to personally experience with his family this life testimony that God has been so quietly watching over.
On September 2nd, Lin is scheduled to preach for the first time in Taiwan, which has gone abuzz throughout Taiwan. It is estimated that tens of thousands of people will crowd the Xinzhuang auditorium in New Taipei. Also, over 700 churches have requested for an all provincial internet broadcast to simultaneously watch this event live. Meanwhile, Good TV USA will be broadcasting this event through their website at www.goodtvusa.tv, allowing viewers from North America to tune in to the event.
