With skillfully dancing feet but heavy heart a young immigrant from Yugoslavia entertained the pleasure-mad crowds in Hollywood, California. He had come to America when quite young and in his childhood had known much of hardships and loneliness. As he grew into manhood he sought satisfaction in a round of gaiety;—but in vain.
Someone noticed his look of unhappiness and told him that, to be happy himself he must give happiness to others. His love for dancing and natural agility led him to the stage, where, after much training and instruction, he became a professional dancer. With easy money coming in he plunged into a round of gambling and other questionable pursuits, only to find the truth of the words of Solomon: "All is vanity and vexation of spirit." Eccles. 1:1414I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. (Ecclesiastes 1:14).
But now he has danced before Hollywood notables for the last time. No longer can he enjoy "the pleasures of sin for a season," nor contribute to such fleeting enjoyment for others. Why? He has found "something more than gold," and his heart is filled with love to Him whose favor is more to be desired than much fine gold.
“God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform," wrote Cowper, and never was it more evident than in this case!
An actor with whom he had worked had seen the young fellow's dissatisfied air and had given him a Bible. It was at once diligently read, and his memory went back to childhood days. He remembered his old grandmother in Yugoslavia secretly reading a Bible which had fallen into her hands. She taught him that it was God's Word and ought to be heeded. Day after day he read a portion, groping in spiritual darkness for the light.
One day he saw in a paper an announcement of evening Bible classes. He at once enrolled, but somehow was never questioned—as is usual—as to his own spiritual condition. On his first evening there no one knew or guessed the anguished longing of his soul.
He heard for the first time in his life the sweet gospel story and it wonderfully soothed his troubled spirit. It was the dawning of a new day for the Hollywood dancer, though the Sun of righteousness had not yet dispersed the darkness on his horizon. He went on with his dancing—and reading his Book, even while continuing his attendance at the night classes.
A few weeks later all the Bible class was invited to join the other students at dinner. It proved to be a great event in our friend, the dancer's, soul-history. He was there and saw all the day-students file in with happy faces. The young men, friendly and clean, and the quiet, modest young women seemed so totally different in spirit and appearance to all he had met before. He was deeply interested.
Then someone started a hymn in which all joined:
"What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.”
The arrow found its mark. The young Hollywood entertainer covered his face with his hands and silently and earnestly prayed: "Oh, my God, help me to find that Friend.”
Has He ever refused to hear such a cry? Never. That night, without disclosing his anguish of soul, he promised a young man to go with him to some evangelistic meetings. Again and again he went and found the Savior!
His joy in believing was over-abounding. He had danced for a Hollywood audience for the last time! Henceforth his feet must tread the paths of wisdom, paths of happiness. Says Solomon: "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." Prov. 3:1717Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. (Proverbs 3:17).
Now the question of Saul of Tarsus was constantly upon his lips: "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" The answer came too plain to question: "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." Mark 5:1919Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. (Mark 5:19).
He left for his native land to labor in the harvest field of Yugoslavia. He finds great happiness in telling of the grace, mighty to save, which means everything to him!
To you, dear reader, is the word of this salvation sent. Perhaps you too have tried the world only to find like this young man how unsatisfying is its pleasures. Will you not today turn to that blessed Savior who said: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28).