NBA All-Star Jeremy Lin has released a video on how he was "redefining success." He also sent out an email full of various prayer requests after his annual trip to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
In a video posted on YouTube that runs under two minutes, Lin elaborated on his life's story. It begins with somber music and pictures of the San Francisco Bay Area.
"This is my story: dreams," Lin said. "It's easy to dream big. There's the initial excitement, raw passion, high hopes, and you put in everything you have to pursue your dream. But inevitably, the hits will come."
Lin is then shown running up a sandy cliff near the beach. His comments are probably a reference to his NBA career, most recently as a point guard in the Los Angeles Lakers; he is currently in free agency.
"You get knocked down, you get back up," Lin said. "You get knocked down again, you get back up, but the criticism keeps coming. The hard work doesn't seem to be paying off."
Lin added that "one unmet expectation after another leads to disappointment, discouragement, and even worse, doubt." He then addressed the criticisms aimed at him.
"Maybe they're right," Lin quipped in response to his critics. "Maybe I'll never be who I thought I would be."
The Harvard graduate explained his plan to counter such criticisms.
"I'll work harder than I've ever had before," Lin declared. "I'll work on my weaknesses and refine my strengths. Give more even after I thought I gave it my all."
Lin added that he would rely on God as he gives "everything I have."
"I'll trust God, trust His Word, trust His promises, [and] His love," Lin said. "Trust Him to do what only He can do, and when it's all said and done, I want to say, 'I did everything in my power to become who God wants me to be.'"
Lin ended his video by saying "this is my story: what will yours be?" He also posted a passage from 1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV), which states: "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
The video, which was posted on YouTube on June 18, has received nearly 180,000 hits.
In an email received by the Gospel Herald, Lin stated that he was winding down his annual Asia Tour and wanted to forward several prayer requests. During his tour, he visited cities in both China and Taiwan, including Beijing, Xiamen, Chengdu, Hong Kong and Taipei.
"Please pray for the students at Peking University, may their pursuits of success center on God's purpose for their lives," Lin wrote.
Lin noted that he was able to share his testimony of faith with students at China University of Hong Kong.
"[I] am encouraged by those who accepted Christ," Lin wrote. "Please pray that they would never stop seeking Christ."
Lin then turned to the "evangelical event" that took place at National Taiwan University. He asked for prayers that "they will hear the gospel and center their lives on Jesus Christ alone."
In his final prayer request, Lin hoped that Christians would focus on the children he met in various charities across China and Taiwan.
"Please pray for the kids I met at the following charities -- Included (Beijing), Beijing Xuanwu Peizhi School (Beijing), House of Dreams (Taipei), [and] Children Are Us Foundation (Taipei)," Lin wrote. I'm hoping the kids rely on Jesus and relentlessly chase their dreams even though society has already counted them out in many ways."
At the end of his letter, Lin also thanked his fans "who made this trip so memorable."
"You guys are the best!" Lin quipped.
