Devout faith helps Isaac move forward
As a devout Christian, Johnathan Isaac rarely lets life get in the way of his beliefs that all things happen through Jesus Christ.
There have been brief moments, however, when the Orlando Magic’s young forward questioned God’s plan.
Doubts were inevitable on Aug. 2 during a Magic game at ESPN Wide World Sports. Lying on the floor, writhing in pain, Isaac had just recovered from seven months of rehabilitation for a knee injury and was thinking to himself, “Why God? Why me and why another injury?”
This time it was a torn ACL, the FSU product’s third devastating injury since being selected by the Magic as the No. 6 choice in the 2017 NBA draft. If not for injuries, the just-completed NBA season would have been Isaac’s third as a
professional.
His faith was, once again, tested.
“Absolutely, and that’s just us being human,” Isaac said Monday when asked if his injury tested his faith. “I’ve been through a lot when it comes to injuries, and just life, but God has been so good to me and I’m so blessed in the things that I have and the things that I get to experience.
“… But my first phone call … was to my pastor [Durone Hepburn of JUMP Ministries] here in Orlando, and he was able to walk me through … and show me things. … In order to know God’s faithfulness, you have to go through things that test your faith.”
His doubt he could persevere quickly dissipated, just as it had many times before. Isaac said he knows God will show him the way.
Isaac could have played 247 games if he was available for every contest during his NBA career, including the playoffs. With an ankle injury his rookie season and the knee injury this season, he’s played just 136 games. It’s unclear how many games he will miss next season, which is targeted to start sometime between Dec. 22 and Jan. 18.
Although there is no timetable for his return, and all signs point to him missing the 2021 season, Isaac said when he does return, he vows to be a better player than he was before. Those are tough words to live by considering the way Isaac was playing prior to getting sidelined.
During 34 games this past season, Isaac averaged 12 points, seven rebounds, two blocked shots and two assists per game. In his first game back after his sevenmonth rehabilitation, Isaac scored 16 points and six rebounds. Fourteen minutes into his second game back, he sustained another injury.
“I absolutely felt like I was playing my best basketball, felt like I was playing great,” Isaac said of his level of play prior to his latest injury. “Really, it’s a mind thing. They say sports is 90% mental, 10% physical. Whatever percentage you want to give it, but my mind is still there.
“My body just has to catch up with this recent injury, but I’ll get better and I’ll get back on the court. I’ll be expecting and knowing that I’m going to play better than I did when I left because my mind is continuing to get better.”
While he recovers from his injury, Isaac continues to work to help others in the Central Florida community.
Isaac said because of his belief society can be better with the guidance of and dedication to God, he will help lead a “peaceful prayer march” in downtown Saturday. The event will run from the Lake Eola amphitheater to the Dr. Phillips Center, where Isaac said there will be a night of “music, prayer, fellowship and really just an amazing time.”
The march, which is called “Hold Up The Lights,” starts at 6 p.m., but those who want to participate are asked to begin arriving at 5 p.m. Facemasks, hand-sanitizer and posters will be available, with participants observing COVID-19 safety precautions.
And yes, Isaac said he can walk and will do so with his left leg in a brace.
“I’m really excited about this. … It is our attempt at giving a solution to what we see in our society, what we see in our communities and what we see in our country,” Isaac said. “And we believe that the answer to it all is Jesus Christ. This is a prayer walk — peaceful, no protests, nothing political. … This is a peaceful prayer walk.”