By: Jesse Striewski
I knew there was a reason NBA star Jonathan Isaac was one of my favorite Orlando Magic players, and after reading his new book, Why I Stand, it was immediately clear why. Isaac clears the air on anything and everything on his mind here, while offering insight on his upbringing and how not only he has gotten from point A to point B, but the world around us has as well. And his faith in Christ and the courage he has as a result of it is nothing short of phenomenal.
I couldn’t agree more with Isaac’s views as he calls out the hypocrisies of such groups as BLM and its followers, and likens them to the same mob-minded folks who, at the height of the pandemic, felt people who weren’t vaccinated should be forced to be. Yet he also notes how the intentions of most of these groups are well-meaning at heart, but merely misguided by the wrong, loud voices (often the ones filled with the most anger) and follow along blindly with the masses, under the guise of “doing the right thing.”
I can personally relate to Isaac all too well, considering once upon a time I might have actually fallen in the same category as many of these groups. Most people who encounter me nowadays are usually surprised to learn that I am not some sort of anger-filled alcoholic or atheist just based on the types of music I listen to (which couldn’t be further from the truth). Perhaps once upon a time I might have fit some of these descriptions, but thankfully I’ve learned to grow, and have since evolved. And like Isaac, I firmly believe the pitch fork mentality is not the way, and calls for rage should be left in the hands of a higher power, and not the eye-for-an-eye mindset of man.
To quote Isaac; “I don’t have all the answers. I can only point you to what I’ve learned and, importantly, the One who continues to give me the courage and the strength to stand up and not be afraid to tell the world there has to be a better way; there is a better way.” If only we could all agree on such a simple concept in this complex world of ours, maybe we could actually have that world peace certain factions are so dead set on achieving at all costs, no matter who they hurt along the way.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
