Did you happen to catch the season finale of The Biggest Loser last night?

I love that show!  The transformation that takes place, on both the inside and the outside of the contestants, is always so inspiring to me.

Their stories are also very compelling.  It’s heart-wrenching to hear about some of the decisions they’ve made that got them to their tragic weight; as well as some of the triggers of loss or pain that served as a turning point in their lives… and then to hear about the emotional and psychological ‘weight’ they have carried with them, that only serves to compound the hurt and damage… I would imagine that the decision to apply to be a contestant on this show has got to be one of their low points in life.

Then they arrive at the ranch, their context for change.  They’re met by people who genuinely care about them, and will grow to love them, but who are ultimately there to see them change their lives.  Some contestants will not last long.  Those who make it to the end, however, will have been trained for seven months.

Little, if any of it, will be easy.  But the reward, the end result, is SO worth it.

And that’s what the trainers know… and the contestants want to believe.  What stands in the way is a lot of hard work, and/or belief, and/or willingness… Again, the trainers know that – physically speaking – anything is possible.  This season they had a number of contestants who lost more than 40% of their body weight – one nearly 50% – and another over 55%!  It was amazing!

And all of this inspirational transformation got me thinking about our work with students.

How well do we know their stories?  Do we know how they’ve arrived at the place we now encounter them?  Were there some bad decisions they made or some tragic events that transpired in their lives that set them off course?

When they arrive on campus, or at the front door of our ministry, are they met by people who genuinely care for them – who will grow to love them – and who are ultimately there to see them become them women and men that God desires them to be?  Do they see that (in us)?

Do our students recognize the need for change in their lives?  Do they believe that change is possible?  Do they understand that they will have to work [hard] alongside the Holy Spirit to experience life transformation?  Do they believe that a life fully lived for Christ is worth living?

I’m challenged in this ‘off season’ of the summer to prayerfully consider how I do what I do with students, and to prepare for the upcoming season of life with them; believing that transformation IS possible – in me and in them – ALWAYS – because of Jesus.