Revolution of Love.com
Extreme Makeover: Soul Edition
by Gwen
Have you noticed when flicking through channels on your TV these days, chances are you'll come across some sort of makeover show at anytime on just about any channel? Television programming is a reflection of our culture, and if that be true, our society seems to be obsessed with "making things over." Granted, some of these are the few shows I find worthwhile to watch, but why so many? In addition, this genre seems to be getting more and more dramatic/grotesque as the need for "shock value" increases, especially when it comes to personal makeovers. Though I don't watch them regularly, I've seen some shows where the individual is barely even recognizable as the same person after the makeover. Seeing that made me raise my eyebrows with instinct telling me that something is fundamentally wrong with this, and I believe it lays soul deep.
On the surface, seeing something or someone get a new look (especially if it turns out for the better) is fun. It can give one creative ideas and inspiration to try something new. It's great to fix crooked teeth and I love the show where they make over a new home for a deserving family. But still the question remains, why does our society seem to be so focused on seeing so much change? I think the answer is a spiritual one. In my opinion the majority of people are lacking a profound peace of soul - the peace that Jesus came to give us. St. Augustine says, "You have made us for Yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you." Psalm 62: 2-3 says, "Only in God is my soul at rest. From Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, I shall not be disturbed at all."
Jesus said His peace was not a peace the world could give. Herein lies the answer to the question! Too often people seeking makeovers have restless hearts. Instead of seeking the TRUE peace of Christ, they misguidedly look for the FALSE peace of the world. This is particularly evident on shows where the person seems almost to be physically transformed into someone else. Most of them state in their bios that they are hoping that changing the outside will help them change who they are on the inside. What you don't see on TV is when after all is said and done and the lights go out, the person is still left with him/herself. I think the same internal discord that caused them to seek a makeover in the first place is going to haunt them just the same.
Makeover shows get very high ratings. Therefore it can be concluded that the enthusiasm for makeovers is to be found not only in those seeking them, but also in the viewers. It is a trick of the devil to keep people so focused on the physical world, their bodies, surroundings, etc. that they forget about the spiritual reality that sustains it all. Vanity is still a sin, but is socially acceptable in our culture. St. Therese quotes Ecclesiastes saying, "All is vanity and vexation of spirit under the sun, that the only good is to love God with all one's heart and to be poor in spirit here on earth." That quote aptly describes much of secular society. People are deceived by vanity and vexed in spirit and seeking to calm that vexation or run from it by constant change. The focus is shifted from the root of the vexation to the effect: displeasure with oneself and one's surroundings. If enough efforts are made to change one's look, one's house, one's decor, one's dress, one's car, etc., one will arrive at the way things ought to have been in the first place and achieve peace, right? Wrong!
The contradiction of the whole situation is that the very thing which people should truly be concerned with "making over" is the most often ignored. Though everything fresh and gorgeous is pursued for the body, the soul is often left to decay in sin. It's an odd irony since the body will die, but the soul is immortal. God is the original makeover artist and has been offering His own "makeovers" free of charge to each and every one of us through the Sacraments of Baptism and Confession. He is the Supreme plastic surgeon, architect, designer, cosmetologist, and therapist. He alone can bring death to life and cleanse a soul stained with sins of scarlet through the Blood of the Lamb, making it shine brighter than snow! I have yet to see a makeover show that can boast of anything so impressive! Yet in all the hype about making this and that over, how often does one hear about people being excited to renew their souls in the grace of God? How often is the Sacrament of Reconciliation promoted and taken advantage of as such the tremendous gift it is? If Satan can keep people distracted with enhancing, sucking, tucking, and "fixing" a mortal body which shall return to the dust then what shall become of a neglected soul? How subtle are his evil ways! How easy it is to become distracted by the trivial things of the world!
In conclusion, enjoy watching the makeover shows because many can be entertaining, heart warming and inspiring. However, we must keep in mind that the source of each other's distress ALWAYS stems from a lack of the TRUE PEACE OF CHRIST which can only truly be found through the acquisition of Grace. I can be butt-ugly in the world's eye, but if my soul is beautiful in Christ's, I necessarily will have Peace. And that's because God said so... "Come to me all ye who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest!" So, add a little more depth to the experience of watching the next makeover by putting on "spiritual glasses" and consider what kind of makeover God can do for you!
Gwen is a guest writer for RoL. She lives in Southern California with her husband Jimmy and her three children.