A lesson in weight

Last week I was watching Father of the Bride II with a friend. In this movie, both the man’s wife and daughter are pregnant. There was a passing comment made by Steve Martin in the movie about the weight of these two women being around 130 pounds when they were over 8 months pregnant.

Let me just say (in complete agreement with my friend who also said it was absurd) that such a number is completely ridiculous. Consider these facts:

• Diane Keaton is 5 feet, 8 inches. (average normal weight is 126-150 pounds)
• Kimberly Williams is 5 feet, 6 inches. (average normal weight is 120-144 pounds)
• The average weight gain of a woman during pregnancy is around 24-35 pounds

At a bare minimum, the estimate given by the movie was at least 20% too low. Why do I nitpick as such a comment? It is this: be careful what you believe from watching a TV show or movie. In fact, it never hurts to verify anything you hear. What I quoted above was only five minutes of research on the web. And you are welcome to check my figures.

Ultimately, what I wonder is how many people accept such a figure as either true or partially true, and in doing so, contribute to their own personal guilt over weight or something else in their life. The images and figures we see on TV are just that – images. They are covered in makeup and made to appear much better than they are. It is unrealistic to compare oneself in any way to any TV or movie personality. In this example, the figure is a complete distortion of reality and adds nothing to its viewers except a completely unrealistic standard no one can or should attain.

Ephesians 4

Sunday we studied Ephesians 4:1-16 at The Point. As I was walking through the mall the day before, I had a little window of the soul into the passage, specifically verse 14. Before I describe it, let me begin with part of the passage:

Walk…with all humility and gentleness… preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace…to each of us grace was given….for the equipping of the saints…until we attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. (paraphrase of 4:1-13) As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming… (4:14)

Paul's emphasis here is that as the body of Christ, we are to reflect the character and person of God by being united. The Trinity exists in perfect unity and harmony, and what Paul requests is ultimately for us to follow the example God that is. He specifically notes we are to be united, calls attention to the various ways we can contribute to Christ's body through the gifts He gives each of us, and brings the thought to its conclusion which is Christian maturity that leads to a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ (4:13).

Now for my window: At the mall, a company had set up a projector in the roof that beamed down images of cell phones onto a large white mat on the mall floor. Children were playing on this mat, and were chasing the images of the cell phones that moved around. The phones were quite colorful and intended for the younger audience, and the children were having a great time. The initial thought that came to mind as I passed by was: "that is cute." And it is. I reached for my cell phone to check the time and the window opened:

The children are chasing images of cell phones while I have the real thing.

Isn't this what Paul is encouraging us to do in this passage? What he wants us to remember is that we know the real God – what is the point in spending time chasing "every wind of doctrine"? Does this add to the unity of the body, the fellowship of the Spirit, the love of others? Do these winds "blow" me towards knowing the real, risen Lord, or distract me from Him? What matters is knowing Christ. What is of utmost importance is the Person of Jesus, not the doctrine of Christ.

Please do not think I am suggesting that all doctrine is unimportant. What I am suggesting is: how does this, whatever "this" is, help me know the Man, the Person, the God, Jesus Christ? And if it does not, it is worth considering what direction the wind is blowing.