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How’s Walk on Water
Jeremy Lin Shu-How Translated by Connor Lim from 走在水面上的豪小子 - 黃芝婷
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), Harvard boy Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks has stirred global hype overnight. Internationally famous, he has fostered pride, especially in Asia. However the greatest lesson learned according to his fans is not his success but rather his rise and outlook through his struggle.
Without these struggles there would not be the Lin we know today. From the beginning of his journey, he has seen God’s hands guide him through every hardship. In a plethora of television, newspaper, and magazine interviews he has claimed that the bible has always been his coach. To Lin, this is a fact in his life a truth that is unchanging.
During his Ivy League college application process, there were no athletic scholarships available and Lin ended up where he least wanted to be, Harvard University. When he entered the Golden State Warriors team, he didn’t get a lot of playtime and was waived by the Warriors. Soon after, he signed with the Houston Rockets, and was once again waived before the season had begun. At last, Lin signed with the New York Knicks as a reserve player set out in the D-league. Due to unforeseeable turn of events caused by injuries to the Knicks main players, Lin was finally given game time, foresting “Linsanity”.
His account of the struggles as a bench warmer assistant consisted of giving his other players drinks and fearing being dropped from the team. Anger and frustration led him to munch on 40 chicken wings as an attempt to feel better. However, instead of relieving his stress, he ended up with serious stomach pains. With no one but his tears to keep him company, Lin spent many nights crying into his pillow. Just when he was about to lose all faith, he found a bible verse. “3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
From Lin’s account, since the beginning of his journey with the NBA, every time he’s been on a private plane, from game to game. There were all types of drinks and lots of amazing foods from candies to steaks, that he was happily enjoyed. However, as the season drew to a close during one of the flights the aircraft didn’t have any power outlets. Everyone started to complain. Lin realized that happiness was fleeting; happiness through materials was such a short-term ideal and cannot be sustained.
Lin also started to notice the increase in pressure. His fear that he just was not good enough took over as if the fear and game itself swallowed him whole. At that moment he realized that his life priorities were all wrong. He was playing for himself, for his family and his fans. However according to Lin he played for everyone but God. Now he places God in front of all else, most importantly he plays for God. With this he feels closer to God with a sense of happiness and relief. He doesn’t care anymore about what people say or how he is judged.
He just quoted another bible verse.
“25 About three o’clock in the morning[a] Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here![b]”28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong[c] wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
Lin said “Right now it’s as if I’m walking on water. It doesn’t matter as long as I am focused on God I shall not sink.”
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