I saw the TV was on when I passed by the family room on my way to the kitchen this morning. I saw a face from the past, Orson Bean, and I stopped to listen. Orson Bean was a very popular humorist and raconteur on TV when I was raising kids. He was a funny guy and a smart guy. Sometimes he was over the edge with his ideas, a part of the "sexual revolution" popular in the 1970s onward.
Everyday people and celebrity people caught up in any "sexual revolution" lifestyle consider it and themselves to be the most "with it" beings on the planet. Orson Bean was among them back in his prime entertainment days.
When I saw his face this morning, my first thoughts were "Is he still alive?" and "He looks pretty good, even with white hair." He had not gained weight or many wrinkles, and his raspy, friendly voice was in tune as well as it had been during his prime days on television, in films, and on the stage.
This morning he was introducing his newest book, M@il for Mikey and "what it's like to be conservative in Hollywood."
When I heard that phrase I thought, "Conservative? That can't be right. This is Orson Bean and he's not conservative!"
Then Bean said he would talk about the fact that he became a Christian.
My jaw dropped and my eyes flooded with tears. Then and Now had become like night and day in Orson Bean. That's what God does all the time in many people. Yet, it is too easy to forget that.
Orson Bean said he used to get the best tables in New York City and other big city restaurants, and he tried booze, sex, success, and all kinds of things to make himself happy.
Then he said he hit bottom and joined a 12-step program. During that time, a friend said something like, "Why not talk to God about this, ask for His help? Get on your knees and talk to Him."
Bean said he responded, "Why do I have to get on my knees?" to which the friend answered, "Because He likes it."
He did, he said, and he noticed that every time his life was getting better and better.
I thanked God and praised Him for Orson Bean's new life. Also, I felt corrected by God. The correction, if I can try to put it in words, went like this, God saying, "See. Had you forgotten that no one is beyond My reach?"
I should not have forgotten, for I too had been a rebel against God for many years.
No matter who or where we are, what we have done, been through, or suffered or caused as suffering to others, God can reach us. God loves us when we are at the bottom, at our worst.
So, I got the message...again.
A confident-looking, cheerful, successful Orson Bean had more torment and unhappiness within himself than anyone could have imagined, until he hit bottom and from there, began with God. Praise God, whose power works rebirth and transformation through His Son, Jesus Christ. He works openly, mysteriously, powerfully, and surprisingly. He has worked through all the "Thens" of history, and He is working in "the Nows of Now."
Right now.
Jean Purcell is a book publisher and writer. Her first book was Not All Roads Lead Home under her pen name, Jane Bullard. Her web site is http://www.opinebooks.com and her Writing and Publishing Nonfiction Books blog is at http://janebullard.blogspot.com/ Sign up for the free Opinari Quarterly for Christian Writers, Publishing Professionals, Book Lovers, and Reviewers on her web site.
» left by Jane Bullard (346 days 6 hours ago.)
Hi, Michael, I appreciate your thoughts on this true story. It always thrills me to hear new living evidence of God saving souls for eternity and starting many changes in their lives in the here and now. Thank you so much for your comment.
Jane
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