Jeremy Lin Gives 'All the Praise to God'
Jeremy Lin may have come out of Friday night's game against the Lakers a star with a career-high 38 points, seven assists and four rebounds. But he's not letting the "Linsanity" overcome the country without giving proper credit to God.
"I just give all the praise to God," Lin said after the game.
Point guard for the New York Knicks, Lin has become a household name overnight. He's being recognized for not only saving the season, but for being the first American player in the NBA to be of Chinese or of Taiwanese descent and for his outspoken Christianity.
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He revealed on his Facebook at the start of the New Year that his resolution is to "love God more deeply and intimately by dec 31 than I did on jan 1." His current Twitter profile also states, "to know Him is to want to know Him more."
His path to the NBA hasn't been the most glamorous but he believes God has led him the entire way.
When he was with the Golden State Warriors last year, Lin testified at River of Life Christian Church that he considers everything in his life – including his coaches, his "tall" genes (6'3) and opportunities given to play – blessings from God.
"I look back and I realize these are His fingerprints all over my story," he said.
He admitted that initially he was playing for "great games," getting the next year of contract and for his glory but after spending more time in God's Word, he said he realized "our true prize ... was something in heaven, not on earth."
"I realize I had to learn ... to stop chasing the perishable prizes of this earth ... and give my best effort unto God and trust Him with the results."
Lin has committed to go out on the court and play for God, rather than for himself or for the expectation of others.
Though Lin is just rising to fame, he mentioned in a 2010 interview with Sports Illustrated that he hopes to become a pastor and lead nonprofit organizations following his basketball career.
The Knicks face off against the Timberwolves Saturday night.
