17 Feb, 2012
How Did We Miss Him?
How did everyone miss Jeremy Lin?
An undrafted Asian-American from Harvard excelling for the storied New York Knicks in the NBA's most famous arena is unlikely enough.
Marry that with a timely confluence of unpredictable events and unique circumstances, and Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin's unprecedented rise from bench warmer to global basketball star in 14 days begs the perplexing question:
How did Lin go so unnoticed for so long?
Lin's unforeseen performance — hardly an NBA coach, general manger, scout or fan saw this coming — has captivated sports fans throughout the world, including Asia, where Lin has roots. He is the NBA's first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent.
"Lin is changing perceptions of Asian-Americans, in ways that both reinforce and deeply challenge existing stereotypes," said Thad Williamson, a University of Richmond professor of leadership studies. "On the one hand, he is the prototypical high academic-achieving Asian-American. But on the other hand he is a baller who has shown he can not only compete but excel against the world's best players."
Said Knicks legend and TV analyst Walt Frazier, "This league is dominated by African-Americans. What are the odds of an Asian guy coming on and having this impact? It's amazing. It's inexplicable."
It began with a desperate attempt by coach Mike D'Antoni to jump-start the then-struggling Knicks. The answer turned out to be Lin, a 6-3, 200-pound guard with an economics degree, and faith in God, who just happened to be a perfect fit for D'Antoni's offensive system.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who played basketball at Harvard, has developed a relationship with Lin and worked out with him on the court.
"Everyone who thinks this an overnight success fundamentally gets this wrong," Duncan said in an interview with USA TODAY. "Jeremy has been very good for a long time and just never quite had the opportunity."
Or as Knicks courtside season ticket-holder Spike Lee told a Sacramento TV station at halftime of Wednesday's Kings-Knicks game: "It's harder to slip through the cracks now, with the tape, with 900 channels. … No one saw this, so how could someone with his talent just be there and no one saw it?"
Story and Photo provided by usatoday.com.
Matthew 25:31-46 (ESV)
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about "missing him"?
Today's God's Story scripture reminds us that we never know when we might encounter Jesus through an opportunity to reach out to someone in need. Jesus is very clear in today's scripture, that there will be people who think they have been serving him, yet they will have missed the true opportunities that he sent their way. If we were to live life thinking of every encounter we have as an opportunity to serve and love Jesus, we wouldn't miss those chances.
How can I connect today's God's Story Scripture to My Life?
- Thank God for the opportunities you have each and every day to serve and love Jesus by serving and loving others.
- Ask God to open your eyes and heart to the opportunities you might ordinarily miss today.
- At the end of each day this weekend, take some time to reflect on your day and write about the ways that you were able to serve and love Jesus each day.
How can I connect Today's Story, God's Story, and My Story with Others?
- Ask some friends if they have heard of Jeremy Lin and begin a conversation about how easy it is to overlook such potential.
- Talk with some of your friends about today's God's Story scripture. Ask them if they have ever missed an opportunity to help someone else in need.
- Share with those same friends that when they reach out to those in need, that they are really reaching out to Jesus.
- Take some time this weekend to make a plan with some friends to serve at a local homeless shelter or soup kitchen in your community. If you need help finding one, talk with your parents or some leaders in your church.
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