One of the few sections I still like to read from the Los Angeles Times is the Parade Magazine. I like the Q&A section in the front and I always enjoy Marilyn Vos Savant’s section.
This past Sunday featured Shia LaBeouf on the cover. I like the guy especially the recent movies he’s done like Holes and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I can’t wait to see Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen when it comes out later this month.
But this interview caused me to feel a great sense of pity for Shia. Among some of the troubling highlights were:
“Sometimes I feel I’m living a meaningless life,” Shia LaBeouf says, “and I get frightened.”
“Why did the love of my life and I break up?” he asks, puzzled. “Man, I have no idea. What was that all about? I have no answers to anything. None. Why am I an alcoholic? I haven’t a damn clue! What is life about? I don’t know.”
“What I do know is, I screw up, and I know that I’m working on myself to be a better person,” he says. “So I have no apologies. The best I can do is learn from my mistakes and move forward. And that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Pretty bleak. The average fan probably had no idea. But then he said something rather provocative and honest, but probably doesn’t realize it:
“I don’t handle fame well,” LaBeouf says. “Most actors on most days don’t think they’re worthy. I have no idea where this insecurity comes from, but it’s a God-sized hole. If I knew, I’d fill it, and I’d be on my way.” (Emphasis mine.)
What Shia touched on is the hole every human being has. It’s there by God’s design and only God can fill it.
He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. –Ecclesiastes 3:11.
Shia, what is life about? It’s about Jesus.
And He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. –Colossians 1:15-17.
Shia should be encouraged that he is seeing the futility of this earthly life and monetary riches. It’s my prayer that Shia somehow finds this post or is lead to someone who can share the truth with him. He doesn’t need to live a meaningless life any longer! No one does. You simply need to give your life to the One who Created it! I’ll be praying for you, Shia!
May He Increase!
Love this post. It sounds like he’s definitely on the way to realizing what he’s missing… hopefully he keeps moving forward on the journey. If he seeks, he will find!
He’s in a perfect place. It’s my prayer and hope that God puts someone in his path to show him the one thing that will fill that “God-sized hole” in his heart.
I don’t know who Shia is, but I hear this type of comment often. A life without Christ is a life without………
Thanks Will. It these types of comments that put such a burden on my heart to reach out to them. God only knows if Shia will run across my blog, but I pray that God puts someone in his path to show him the way to Jesus.
You know though it is amazing when many people look at him and think – he’s got it made. This just reveals that when fame and fortune are the center of your life it’s idolatry, and idolatry never satisfies.
Great post Joe!
Hello Shane!
Thanks so much for your visit. The thing about Shia, is that even in the lost state that he’s in, he seems to recognize that all the money and fame haven’t satisfied him. He just needs to turn to the One who will satisfy his soul.
I never heard of this guy, but I scanned the article and he reminded me of Elvis. I always liked Elvis……..the thing with Elvis is that he knew the truth.
I have always like Patrick Swaze also……I have been praying for him and will add Shia. Thanks for the info.