Words to Grow On

Archive Devotions

August 9, 2004

“Extreme Makeovers”

by

Deborah Grace

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

Reality television programming is the latest media fad. What is really going on in the average person’s life? There are numerous programs that suggest what we should look like and how we should live. You can “Design on a Dime,” “Trade Spaces,” or even have a room redecorated, “While You Were Out.” As for shows that will help you with more personal issues, check out “Average Joe,” “Survivor,” “Fear Factor,” “American Idol,” and “Extreme Makeovers.”

With the wave of reality TV shows comes a great deal of self-examination. I find that I’m not too interested in most of these programs, but have on a number of occasions found myself watching the show entitled, “Extreme Makeovers.” It doesn’t appear to be quite as shallow as some of the others and seems to actually make a difference in the lives of people. I find myself wondering what liposuction would do for my hips and love the idea of someone suggesting how best I should style my hair. And the thought of having a personal trainer is kind of ‘over the top!’ But does an external makeover really transform a life?

Romans 12:1,2 suggests that real transformation comes in the form of an internal makeover. We’re to “offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.” The scripture goes on to say, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

All of the programs I mentioned above suggest that transformation comes with external change. The scripture tells us a different story. It says that transformation comes from within. We’re to set our minds on things above, not worldly things. The Living Bible says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think.” Wow! Be different. Don’t be made over to look like someone else?

God’s Word tells us to go against the flow. Don’t be like everyone else. Be yourself! I have to admit that this idea is rather a relief. I don’t have to measure up to what everyone else thinks I should be. I don’t have to look like everyone else looks. I only need to be me—who God created me to be.

That I can do, by giving my mind and my body to God, by being a living sacrifice, ‘the kind He can accept.’ Then I will learn from my own experiences how His ways will really satisfy me!

Another important point that we need to remember is that transformation doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a process. Even the “Extreme Makeovers” take eight weeks! So, if I gradually work at transforming my mind, my thought processes, a little at a time, in small ways, it’s not quite so overwhelming. It might be as simple a thing as not being so short or impatient with one of my children or even being certain that I start my day the right way, with a devotional thought or prayer. That I can do also, because when I think of what He has done for me, it’s not too much to ask! It’s God’s version of “Extreme Makeovers!”