If I ever write a memoir it’s going to be called “Fat and Starving”. Let me explain. 11 years ago, I weighed almost 350 pounds. I was miserable. Thanks to the transformational Grace of God in my life and the elliptical machine at the YMCA, I’ve lost 175-180 pounds (depending on if last night was a “splurge night”).

And I still find myself discontent. Why?

Well for one, I have to work out twice a day and eat under 2,000 calories because I have the metabolism of a sea cow. But I also have that 350 lb. version of myself in my head, reminding me what I felt like, filling me with fear that I will slip back into my old ways and gain all of that weight right back.

There is so much pressure in this world to look a certain way or weigh a certain amount, inevitably leading to some unattainable goal. And I don’t think it’s because we are all narcissistic, egotistical monsters. I think it’s because we instinctively know something isn’t right. It’s like that great quote from C.S. Lewis:

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

We try to fill the void with food, drink, sex…whatever; but nothing will ever be able to fill that God-shaped hole inside of us except God Himself.

This is where I find great comfort in the Word of God and the sense it makes of the (broken) world where we live. Things aren’t the way they are supposed to be. It’s what is so amazing about what Jesus accomplished. Yes, He is our Savior, Healer, Redeemer, Provider, Protector and so much more; but He also set in motion a revolution that ushered in a new King and Kingdom that will one day re-make everything the way it was originally intended and designed.

Including you.

Exhale.

His resurrected body will someday be your resurrected body. One that doesn’t have to count calories or go to the Y twice a day. One that can hit the “New Jerusalem Sundae Bar” for seconds or thirds…consequence free.

And we will finally be content. In a world where every injustice is made right, every tear is wiped away and, ultimately the final enemy is defeated.

Paul spells it out in 1 Corinthians 15:22-23, 52-55:

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ…in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye…the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?””

As followers of Jesus, we are a new creation in our inner man/woman. We’ve been made perfect through Him. Our bodies, however; will have to wait! In the meantime; eat healthy, exercise, take care of yourself…but give yourself some grace knowing that you are a beautiful child of God. Perfection is not going to come in this lifetime. That’s something we have to look forward to in the age to come.

Where nobody is going to be “fat and starving”.

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