Pleasing Who?

I teach an exercise class in the mornings at the retirement community that I work at in Sparks NV. I was looking at the students following along with me thinking about how each one of us is a different size and shape. How would it affect our self-image if there weren’t such a thing as a clothing size? About 5 hours later, I was standing in line at DMV as two employees walked past me. I didn’t quite hear what the first lady said, but the reply from the other gal was, “Yeah, I’m a size 2.” Ironic.

Working in the Fitness Industry for many years, I’ve helped people achieve goals ranging from overall health and wellness to the so-called “Barbie” maniac with unrealistic expectations. The latter of the two is where I’ve always tried to paint a realistic picture for the client focusing on body type, bone structure, and last but not least, genetics. Let’s face it. We are all influenced by the picture perfect, rail thin, 6ft models airbrushed to the hilt and gracing the covers of many magazines. Deception begins!

What expectations do we impose upon ourselves by this worldly propaganda that plagues us daily? For me, it was more cardio, more weight lifting, and 10 grams or less of fat a day. I referred to it as extremely self-disciplined, and that it was! But really, what was my pursuit all about anyway? It was about doing what I loved, which was working out with the added benefit of potentially achieving the “so-called look” of what the world defined as beautiful. I had bought into the lie!

I was letting these magazines, clothing catalogs, and TV ads shape who I am and what I believe. If I look a certain way, talk a certain way, and live a certain way, then I will be worth more, loved more, and more accepted by others. Would I be part of the “in crowd”? I had to take a hard look at my motives and who I was becoming. Did I care what others thought to avoid facing rejection? I had to make a change to keep from becoming a shallow individual, but rather someone I could love, others could love and most importantly, that God could love. (His love is unconditional no matter how we feel)

God’s solution gives us the power to combat the lie. Galatians 1:10 says, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” This verse very clearly answers the questions I was asking myself. And, it makes me realize how dangerous it is to overemphasize what others think of me. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but rather 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 12:2. Paul implies several things here, first that there is a genuine pressure to conform to the pattern of the present world and to be squeezed into its mold. The current world is built on human wisdom and values, not God’s.

We need to resist the temptation to conform to the worldliness surrounding us. The alternative to conforming to this world’s values and lifestyle is a transformation of our minds, a change that only God can do within us. By reading God’s Word, our minds are renewed daily, our visions, values, and plans will be those of God, not our own! We can live a transformed life in Christ, being able to prove, and affirm that the will of God is good, desirable, and perfect! So I challenge you to open God’s Word and begin transforming your mind and life today!

Stand Tall in Christ,

Natalie