Theology of the Biggest Loser

Read Genesis 10-14

Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ Abram left just as the Lord told him…-Genesis 12:1-4a

Ivana and I love the show “The Biggest Loser.” Each season, people who struggle with obesity are chosen for the show. Their goal, with the help of professional trainers, doctors, and dieticians, is to lose the highest percentage of weight and be the “biggest loser” of the show. They leave behind their hometowns, their jobs, most (and in some cases all) of their family and they put their faith in these trainers, doctors, and dieticians in the hopes of a better life. Even though most participants have seen previous seasons of the show, they don’t have any way of really knowing just how grueling and intense the experience will be until they’re at the Biggest Loser Ranch.

This season’s theme is “No Excuses.” It began with a litany of excuses that each of the contestants expressed as to why they were overweight. Many of them stated that they were already overweight, so “why not continue to eat?” Some confessed that, without an opportunity like this, they doubted ever being able to lose weight.”

I thought of the show when I finished the scripture readings for today. God told Abram to leave his family, his country, and his home. Should Abram decide to go, he’d have to place his trust in God. He couldn’t see the Promised Land from where he stood and he had no way of knowing what obstacles he would encounter to get to the Promised Land. But just as the Biggest Loser contestants, Abram is promised that if he’ll trust God and do what God says, the end result will be worth it.

One of my favorite things about the Biggest Loser show is that many of the participants do reach a better place. And they don’t stop there. These contestants, who have been blessed with weight loss, improved self esteem and better eating habits often go back home and bless others with what they’ve learned.

God promises Abram that he will be blessed if he goes. But God points out that the reason he’ll be blessed is so that he can be a blessing to others.

Where is God calling you to go? What is God calling you to do? What are your excuses for not going? Would you be willing to be obedient, to leave behind what might be comfortable and familiar, not knowing what obstacles may lie ahead, but with the promise that being faithful to God will result in a blessing? And when you’re blessed, do you realize that the blessing is at least in part so that you can be a blessing to others? These are good questions to consider today.

Speaking of today… be blessed. And be a blessing.