A Light in the Dark - When Easter Breaks Into Your World
Author and speaker Rob Bell once said, "Some of the most comforting words in the universe are 'me too.
'" One actor's story has been an inspiration to countless people because his life echoed those very words.
For many years Michael Landon was beloved for his roles as the ideal father figure in television shows such as Little House on the Prairie and Highway to Heaven.
At the time few knew to that his background had been filled with pain and despair.
Growing up his parents fought on a regular basis.
His mother would threaten to commit suicide many times, and often would take out her anger on Michael by beating him.
An awkward teenager, he had few friends for most of his young life.
One day in gym class during his sophomore year everything changed.
The students were learning how to throw a javelin.
Picking up the lance for the first time, Landon threw it 30 feet, breaking the school record.
He found his calling.
He gave his life to practicing, quietly mastering the sport.
He would go on to receive a scholarship for his athleticism.
Unfortunately, once at his new school his same insecurities returned, and so did the bullies.
Making fun of his long hair, one day several student athletes grabbed him and shaved it off.
Humiliated and beaten, Michael found himself unable to throw the javelin any longer.
He left college within a year, giving up on his dreams and on people.
Taking a job at a factory, he settled into a quiet life where he hoped people would leave him alone.
One day a casting agent saw him and thought he would make the perfect actor for a role in an upcoming series titled Bonanza.
Once his career took off, Landon became determined to show love to everyone that he could, making a commitment to never hurt people in the way he had been wounded.
His determination impacted generations of people who looked up to the actor as a kind and gentle soul.
In the end his greatest hurt had led to his greatest calling.
Michael Landon's story is evidence of the possibility that even in the darkest of moments everything can be changed once the light of love breaks through.
And then there is Easter, where darkness covered the land one Friday afternoon centuries ago; where what looked like the end was actually a new beginning.
Before that fateful moment, Jesus had told his disciples, "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness" (John 12:46).
So may you find this Easter to be a time of renewing, where your greatest challenges are transformed into your greatest calling, and your greatest fears are turned into your greatest strengths.
And may you find that with his life Jesus painted a picture of bringing the light into the darkness while entering into humanity to face the hurts and pains and ups and downs and disappointments and joys of day to day living and say, "Me too.
"
'" One actor's story has been an inspiration to countless people because his life echoed those very words.
For many years Michael Landon was beloved for his roles as the ideal father figure in television shows such as Little House on the Prairie and Highway to Heaven.
At the time few knew to that his background had been filled with pain and despair.
Growing up his parents fought on a regular basis.
His mother would threaten to commit suicide many times, and often would take out her anger on Michael by beating him.
An awkward teenager, he had few friends for most of his young life.
One day in gym class during his sophomore year everything changed.
The students were learning how to throw a javelin.
Picking up the lance for the first time, Landon threw it 30 feet, breaking the school record.
He found his calling.
He gave his life to practicing, quietly mastering the sport.
He would go on to receive a scholarship for his athleticism.
Unfortunately, once at his new school his same insecurities returned, and so did the bullies.
Making fun of his long hair, one day several student athletes grabbed him and shaved it off.
Humiliated and beaten, Michael found himself unable to throw the javelin any longer.
He left college within a year, giving up on his dreams and on people.
Taking a job at a factory, he settled into a quiet life where he hoped people would leave him alone.
One day a casting agent saw him and thought he would make the perfect actor for a role in an upcoming series titled Bonanza.
Once his career took off, Landon became determined to show love to everyone that he could, making a commitment to never hurt people in the way he had been wounded.
His determination impacted generations of people who looked up to the actor as a kind and gentle soul.
In the end his greatest hurt had led to his greatest calling.
Michael Landon's story is evidence of the possibility that even in the darkest of moments everything can be changed once the light of love breaks through.
And then there is Easter, where darkness covered the land one Friday afternoon centuries ago; where what looked like the end was actually a new beginning.
Before that fateful moment, Jesus had told his disciples, "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness" (John 12:46).
So may you find this Easter to be a time of renewing, where your greatest challenges are transformed into your greatest calling, and your greatest fears are turned into your greatest strengths.
And may you find that with his life Jesus painted a picture of bringing the light into the darkness while entering into humanity to face the hurts and pains and ups and downs and disappointments and joys of day to day living and say, "Me too.
"
Source...