Is That Me?

I remember back in the late 90s, my sister called to tell me she was signing up for a 90-day fitness challenge. That’s good, I thought. She went on to provide details of what the challenge would involve: sticking to a nutrition plan; exercising regularly (including both cardio and weight training); staying motivated for the 90-day period; and of course, support.

Support? Of course, I’m thinking. Why wouldn’t I support my older sister? After all, she is my only sibling. Plus, she has done so much for me. 

- - - 

You see, she paved the way for me in school, being one year older and one grade ahead of me. She was a great student, well-behaved, humble, etc. So, when I walked into class, the conversations with the teachers went something like this. . .

Teacher: Richie Samuelson?

Me: Yes

Teacher: Any relation to Christine Samuelson? 

Me: Yes. She is my sister.

Teacher: Well, I hope you are as good of a student as she was.

Me: [thinking. . . no pressure here] Me too!

But you see, I had what we call “the benefit of the doubt.” I hadn’t been in class for longer than 5 minutes and the teachers already had a good impression of what kind of student I might be.

 - - -

Back to the fitness story. Remember I’m on the phone with my sister and she is telling me about her plan to enter the fitness challenge. Needs help with a nutrition plan? Check. I know how to eat healthy. Help with her exercise? Check again. I played hockey, baseball, basketball, ran track, and continued playing football through college. Stay motivated? Check. I’m here for you whenever you need me. “Thanks,” she said.

And then it happened. “Just one last thing,” she said. “Name it,” I said. “I want you to do the challenge with me.” 

“Maybe you are like I was. . . thinking you look one way, but in reality, you look much different. Self-examination is the key.”

What? I thought to myself. I know it’s been 10 years since college, but I’m still in decent shape. I don’t need to do the challenge. I’ll crush this thing. But I did say “name it,” so I’ll do it. “Count me in,'' I told her.” I could sense her excitement through the phone.

Here is where it gets interesting. Before eating one healthy meal, or before running one mile or lifting one weight, . . . you have to take a picture of yourself. . . That’s right, the dreaded “before” picture. Still, I’m not thinking much of it, that is, until the photos come back. 

Sidebar—yes, back in the 90s we had to take pictures, send the film to be developed, and wait for the photos to be ready (and hope the photographer’s finger was not blocking the lens!). 

At this point, the pictures were developed, and there it was, right in front of me. Can I just tell you, there was a big difference between what I thought I looked like and what I actually looked like, and it wasn’t for the better. I needed that challenge. I had to accept where I was and make the conscious decision to move in the direction I wanted to go.

In LIFE Fellowship, we have been examining what a mature believer looks like and what an immature believer looks like. As we studied 1 Peter 3:8-9, we saw the contrast between the two. Mature believers are the ones who strive for unity, are sympathetic toward others, love and care for others well, are kind and tender hearted. The immature believers are the ones who practice acts of retaliation and use their words to tear down others, instead of using them to edify or build up others. We have been challenged to examine ourselves and ask, “Is that me?” Meaning, the portrait of the mature believer. ”Is that me? Do I look like that?” 

Maybe you are like I was with the fitness challenge - thinking you look one way, but in reality, you look much different. Self-examination is the key.

Maybe the fitness story doesn’t hit home for you. Let’s try this. For those with children, have you ever witnessed an undesirable trait in your child and thought or said, “That’s awful.” I have, and on more than one occasion. I don’t mean “awe-full,” as in full of awe or look in awe. What I mean is awful, as in ugly, bad, not nice. What really hits home, though, is when we realize that’s exactly what we do (or me in this example). That habit, action, whatever it is, is just a reflection of us. We often don’t realize how ugly the behavior or quality is until we see it in someone else.

So, when we profess ourselves to be Christ’s followers, are we really reflecting Christ? Jesus went before us and showed us the way. Are we yoked to him, or are we going a way that is right in our own eyes? Are we living up to the family name, or are we giving the lost world reasons not to follow Christ?

It’s time to grow. It’s time to mature. Let’s become mature Christians together. Will you take the challenge with me? (Note: no “before” picture necessary)

Rich Samuelson is a member of LIFE Fellowship, a husband, and a father of two daughters. Rich leads a Bible study and oversees the Bible study ministry in LIFE Fellowship.

LIFE|Line is a ministry of Life Fellowship, a fellowship of Midtown Baptist Temple.