Super Size Me

Everything is not as it appears . . .

When I came out of the cinema after watching The Matrix a few years ago, I saw the world in a different way. My perception had been altered and it felt like I was living in the artificial reality of the movie. Unfortunately, I couldn’t fly or stop bullets, and the feeling wore off fairly soon.
Super Size Me had the same effect. Since watching this movie my perception has been altered. I can’t look at the packages in my local supermarket quite the same as before. If I eat out, I’m wondering what’s been going on in the kitchen. I’m reading ingredients lists!
And the sight of a McDonald’s sign is enough to make my mouth go dry.
Morgan Spurlock, a film-maker from New York, has the crazy but brilliant idea of making a documentary about the fast food industry while living on a diet of nothing but McDonald’s food for 30 days.
He has to eat every item on the menu at least once, and he has to “Super Size” when offered. He also limits his exercise to the American average. Sounds like every couch potato’s junk food heaven, right?
Before he starts, Morgan’s doctors rate his health as above average, and predict only minor changes from his planned diet. Within three weeks they are advising him to quit, fearing permanent damage to his health. They’re even concerned for his life. Compared to this, putting on 10 kilograms in 30 days is a minor concern!
There’s a lot in this movie about corporations acting irresponsibly and providing unsafe food. There’s also issues about deceptive marketing that targets children and encourages excessive consumption. But the “takeaway” point seems to be that a healthy, balanced diet—not too much fat and sugar—and exercise are good for you. Sounds suspiciously like “the health message” you might have heard occasionally at your local Adventist church, doesn’t it!
While Adventists feel proud to have known the principles of healthy living for such a long time, it seems a shame we haven’t maintained our edge in promoting a healthy lifestyle. I can’t help thinking, I wish my church had done this movie!
Instead, it’s Morgan Spurlock preaching “our” message! And I’m the one needing the reminder. It’s easy to get caught up in not eating certain things and forget the real reason for being careful about what I eat. It’s comforting to know I have “the health message,” but that doesn’t mean I always have a healthy lifestyle.
Like a lot of things in our relationship with God, having a good idea about the truth is often a long way from living the life.
Being healthy—good food, water, exercise, sleep—makes me feel better, and that’s important. But wait, there’s more! It also means I’ve got a clearer mind to perform better, whether it’s study, work, talking to my friends, or trying to understand some of the stuff in the Bible. Being in shape, physically and mentally, helps me spiritually—and might also mean I can serve others better.
God designed me and He wants to see me functioning at my best. In the New Testament it says that our bodies are God’s temple. If you check out Super Size Me, you’ll agree that it’s not a temple entered through the golden arches!