Weight Loss Revelation

God showed up, in the strangest of forms: weight loss.

I got the opportunity to talk with a childhood friend's father today, twice, at two different events.  He has  managed to loose an incredible amount of weight, naturally.  He went from roughly 370 pounds to 190 pounds.  Words can not describe how proud I am of him.  Through our conversations today, this is what I have pieced together:

When, let's call him Dave, lost a bunch of weight, it was evident that he had changed.  He had a remarkably different attitude; he looked radiantly healthy; he now held a positive outlook on living his life; Dave's entire lifestyle had improved immensely.  You can visually tell that Dave had undergone a major life change.  I haven't seen Dave in a few years, so the change is stark contrast: day and night almost.  I expected one Dave and got a different one; but his progression of change did not just happen over night.  He began babbling on about how hard the process of keeping the weight off has been, how discouragement and doubt would creep in at times, and how much perseverance he had to have if he truly wanted to fix the condition that was ruining his life one decision at a time.  After asking a plethora of questions, Dave tells me it would have been nearly impossible without ceaseless support and love from others who have walked that journey before.  While rambling, Dave can't help but give me tid bits of advice on how to improve my own health and fitness.  All Dave wants to do is share his life changing story with everyone because he is a completely new person, adding years to his life, doing things he never thought he could.  The old dave is gone after making the right decisions day in and out, and the weight has stayed off because he can not bare to return to his former ways.  He did not try weight loss pills or a quick surgery that promised to melt his pounds away.  No, Dave went back to what has always been true: good diet and exercise.  Truths that never change gave his life back.

Does this sound familiar?

When you accept Jesus as your Lord, the weight of this world is relieved from your shoulders.  Jesus is all you will want to talk or think about, like Dave, you will throw Jesus into any conversation because you want others to the experience the freedom you've found have in Christ. You want others to loose the weight of this world, too.  You are somehow different and people can see a visual difference from who you used to be.  however, your change did not happen overnight.  you wrestled with convictions and questioned whether God really meant everything He said in the bible.  you turned your back in bitterness and anger and you rejected Truth in its most pure form.  you became discouraged when trying to brave this journey alone.  yet, like dave, you needed change or the weight would have soon ended your life.  so you went back to what you knew to have always been true instead of following "feel-good seminars" and "life-changing programs" that only offered temporary weight removal, instead of a change of lifestyle.  you've tried the feel-good number, taking you from high to low from one minute to the next, never fulfilling.  jesus christ, in the life of a genuine believer, is absolutely evident.  your outlook on and purpose for life become meaningful, your demeanor is softened by christ's love, you begin to do the unexpected and unexplainable, your attitude is no longer burdened by what tomorrow may bring, and your lifestyle is shaped through faith.  you are not willing to return to your former life of imprisoning chains because you have the ultimate freedom found only through christ, and like dave, you have those people who have walked the road before you to encourage and lift you up when the occasional set backs occur.  the Truth that never changes gave you back your life.

read again about dave and sip on that java-goodness you're holding in your hand.

amazing isn't it!?

"this means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.  the old life is gone; a new life has begun!" –2 corinthians 5:17 [NLT]

are people able see the evidence of jesus living in you? the fruit being produced in your life? a stark contrast between the old (enter name here) and the new (enter name here)?

if not, why not? you will personally know the answer to this question.


let's celebrate our new lives in Christ.  let fireworks rain down for all to know that freedom isn't free.  jesus shed his blood for us. he paid the price for our freedom and salvation.

soli deo gloria