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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Before and After (05/14/09)
OK...I'll admit it...I watch "The Biggest Loser".

I like the show because I am a moderately overweight, middle-aged man.

On the show you always have a group of people who make me look absolutely anorexic. At the risk of sounding presumptuous, I love folks like that. When I was extremely overweight, I used to seek out people who were heavier than me and hang around with them to make myself look good. (I tell this to you and no one else.) (It's my dirty little secret, shared only by a few million overweight people.)

Anyway, I have lost a lot of weight and I like seeing people go through what I went through, minus the quarter million dollar prize, the ranch with a furnished gym, and the personal trainers. But the thing that I really like is seeing their personalities evolve. (The contestants, not the trainers.) It seems to me that they reach a certain level of contentment as they slowly fit into their new bodies.

Christianity is a lot like that.

You take some old sinner who has been on the wrong path for a long time. He's grizzled and nasty and just generally unacceptable. Then you put him in touch with the Master Trainer. The Trainer doesn't try to make the old guy perfect over night. First of all, He accepts the candidate Just As I AM! No guarantees are given save one. Come to Me all you who are weak and heavy laden and I will give you life. My burden is easy and My yoke is light. Notice that He doesn't say "You won't have a burden." He just invites us to lighten our load. Then slowly, He changes us.

I saw a bumper sticker a long time ago that kind of sums things up. It said..."Be patient with me...God isn't finished with me yet."

I'll bet you that I am talking to EVERY person who is reading this right now. Not just a chosen few. I'll bet that there are things that you want to lose. You want to lose them because you know that they are no good for you and because they stand in the way of your relationship with the Great Trainer. His arms were once spread wide to encompass every loser that ever walked the planet. They were nailed in place for a reason. He was lifted up to draw you to Him. And when it was finished...

You were no longer the biggest loser.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
05/21/09
EXCELLENT devotional. It's got all of the points that a good devo needs: a personable voice, an anecdote, a non-preachy tone, a sense of humor. Very, very good.
Janice Fitzpatrick
05/23/09
Very well written with humor and an excellent message. I like your style and illustrations in this piece. Good job!!!
Leah Nichols 
05/28/09
I have been there and done that - the accomplishment is exhilarating, even without all the flashy lights. Looking at old pictures, new friends can't believe it's me. Well written devotional - congrats on your placement!
Marilyn Schnepp 
01/18/10
You made me cry! Great job of 'telling it like it is' and bringng out the emotion in a sinner such as I. Excellent, my friend, and Congratulations! Our mutual friend Lewis would be proud! Kudos!