The Biggest Loser

Often they will say something along the lines of, ‘If I can do it, anyone can do it.’

Jeremiah 35:1-19

Reference:  v.14  ‘Jonadab son of Recab ordered his sons not to drink wine and this command has been kept.  To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather’s command.  But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me.’ (NIV Bible)

Explore:  As someone who constantly struggles with their weight I find the show The Biggest Loser a great inspiration.  It is amazing to see someone who weighs over 150 kilos get control of their exercise and diet and lose the weight that is holding them back.  It is always interesting to listen to the interviews after the show and hear the contestant’s perspective of their journey.  Often they will say something along the lines of, ‘If I can do it, anyone can do it.’  This proves that they are not super-human.  They do not hold a special power that no one else can access.  Anyone is able to lose weight; it is just a matter of whether they are willing to put in the effort.

Application:  When the people of Judah were still being rebellious against God, He brought the Recabites to their attention.  These were a group of people who had been faithful to the commands of their forefathers.  They were just like the people of Judah, they didn’t hold any particular special powers; they had just put in the effort to stay faithful.  This showed the people of Judah that they did actually have the capacity to be faithful to God, they had just chosen not to.  We often do the same in our own relationship with God.  We see other people who are faithful and committed in their relationship with God and we put them on a pedestal, removing them from our sphere like they have some special power to enable them to be so faithful to God.  But in fact, they have just decided to put in the effort to stay faithful.  It doesn’t mean they are not tempted or don’t desire things outside their faith, but they have just made the effort to stay faithful.  We all have the ability to stick to our faith in God.  It may be challenging and may require a great deal of effort, but we all have the capacity to connect with God.

Prayer:  Lord, you see us all as equals.  You love us all the same and you open the doors for all of us to connect with You.  May we make the effort to strengthen our relationship with You.  Amen.

How much effort are you putting in to your relationship with God?