Jonathan Isaac Wants People to ‘Stand for What They Believe’ in ‘Love’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Jonathan Isaac, a power forward for the Orlando Magic, is sharing how he hopes his story will inspire others to stand firm in what they believe.
Isaac has been plagued with injuries and backlash throughout his career.
In 2020, he received backlash because he decided to stand during the national anthem while the rest of his teammates knelt.
Movieguide® previously reported:
Isaac said that his decision to stand was not in rebellion to his team or based on his own strength, but its foundation came from God’s word.
“What made me willing was that I knew that I wasn’t standing for just myself. I wasn’t standing on my word, I knew that I was standing on the word of God,” he said. “What made me willing was that and having the right people around me that I knew I wasn’t standing alone. It wasn’t just me up there. It was my church family, it was my wife, it was my family, and all of those people who felt the way that I felt but didn’t have the courage to stand in that moment.”
Through his book “Why I Stand,” Isaac explains what he hopes people will gain from hearing his story.
“But the thing that gives me, I would say, hope not just because we know that, you know, Jesus has overcome the world and all these different things, but we’re going to go home and all that is great,” he said on Sports Spectrum’s podcast. “But that as the world continues to get darker, the light will continue to get brighter.”
“And so what I’m hoping is that during these times and even with the book, that more people will adopt the message, more people will stand for what they believe in, but stand in love,” Isaac added.
“And I know that’s going to win people. I don’t know if we can win everybody, but we can start with one and continue to grow,” he continued. “And, you know, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, and so on.”
“So yeah, it’s definitely unfortunate, you know, hearing headline after headline and just all of the craziness that’s going around in the world, it’s disheartening. But at the same time, I do have a kind of a hope inside of me that’s like, you know, continue to push, continue to be vigilant, continue to encourage the people around me and the young people that are listening to this message and we’ll see what God does with it,” Isaac explained.
For more inspiring sports stories, check out Sports Spectrum.
The athlete continues to openly share his faith.
“Grateful for every moment! Here’s to Growing in Christ, loving freely, and soaring to new heights! All to the Glory and honor of the King!!” he posted on Instagram.
“I’m guilty… Of allowing missed shots and lost games to dictate my faithfulness!” Isaac wrote in another post. “But I strive to be like God in His faithfulness towards us! That’s what makes Him so awesome! Everything will work out!!! Just remain faithful!! Job got double for his trouble! Believe that!!!”
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