People who know me know that I grew up a professional wrestling fan and to some extend I still am today, though I'll watch old matches more than I'll watch new ones. One of my favorites to watch growing up was "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels. He wasn't a big guy or really muscular, but he above and beyond the call of duty in putting on a show for all the fans in the arena and watching on TV. He is a guy who I respected as a wrestler and have come to respect even more so as a person.
For those that don't know his story, to try and sum it up would be difficult. But he was someone who had achieved a lot of success but was feeling empty, he tried to fill that emptiness with drugs, with fame, and it didn't work. On the outside he was successful but on the inside he was a wreck. He had an injury to his back that forced him out of wrestling in 1998. That was the beginning of a rough time in his life but it was also the time God used to work in his life. He got married, started a family but things weren't clicking in his life fully. His wife got back into church and invited him to go. He did and heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ and from that accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and has been following him ever since.
From that point on, there was a change in his life. He had turned his life over to the Lord, began making amends with friendships and relationships that had been hurt by his previously destructive behavior, got involved in his local church leading bible studies and would share his faith often. He got back into wrestling in 2002 after his back had healed up and continued to wrestle until his retirement after Wrestlemania 26 this past March.
He is someone who is an encouragement of the work of Christ in someone's life and the impact that has. Shawn is quick to point to his faith in interviews even to this day. This week Bill Simmons, ESPN.com writer and podcaster, interviewed Shawn and during the interview there were several times Shawn referenced his faith and the importance that it has in this life (you can click on this link to check out that interview). Also, if you ever get the chance watch the DVD "Heartbreak & Triumph: The Shawn Michaels Story". It is produced by WWE and tells the story of Shawn's life and career through 2006. It talks about the highs and lows of Shawn's life and does share a little bit of his testimony of his conversion.
It's always good to point out those who are active and sharing their faith and using the platforms God has given them to do this. Kudos to Shawn and hope that God continues to use him in such a manner.
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