Of Speed-dating Shows and Self-Image Woes

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By Tracy Phua, 24, Singapore

One thing that is a must-do when I reach a foreign land is to check out the available television programs on the local channels. So while in China recently, I flipped through the one hundred over channels. I finally stopped at one that looked pretty interesting. The words at the bottom right-hand corner of the screen explained that it was a dating show. I was informed that it has notoriously sky-high ratings, especially among the Chinese young people.

The concept of the show isn’t too hard to grasp. The hosts welcome a female contestant on stage. She stands before 30 male participants. Each of them has a buzzer that lights up when pressed. Once she steps up, the male participant is allowed an “impression buzz.” This means that he can press the buzzer to indicate whether he would like to date her based on his first impression. After every round of sharing by the girl, the guys are given an opportunity to decide whether to light their buzzer or not. Time is given for some of them to share the rationales behind their actions i.e. why they pressed (or did not press) the buzzer.

Now, here’s the interesting part. In the particular episode that I watched, the contestant (who is on the plump side) was insulted due to her physical size—throughout the entire show! I was appalled. At the same time, I was curious to find out how she would take these comments. Hence I watched on. And boy, did she shock me!

Not only did she not break down in tears (I thought she would!), she actually accepted their insults—lock, stock and barrel! She agreed with the men and their hurtful comments. Finally, she was sent off the stage because no one indicated an interest in her.

At that point, I wondered: Is this how young people feel these days—that they are who others say they are? Is that how I think of myself too?

An oft-quoted verse from Psalm 139 reminded me that we are made in the image of God. In fact, we are valuable—for the whole of eternity. A well-toned body, designer brands and a pretty face will fade away; but we possess the one designer label that will remain intact till the end of time—Christ.

Psalm 139:13 says: “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.” God created each one of us, with our own uniqueness. He did that so that we could all receive the same privilege— that of knowing and loving Him. Therefore, we ought not judge ourselves by the standards of this world, but instead, by Heaven’s standards!

He gave life to you and to me. If that wasn’t enough, He took on human form to rescue us from our sinful state by living and dying at the young age of 33 years old! In fact, it was at that one poignant moment that our lives were changed forever. He gave us new lives, new identities, and new potentials. He also promised that we would have new bodies—like that of His glorious body—one day (Philippians 3:21)!

Unlike the participants in the variety show, God will press the “impression buzz” because He loves us for who we are, and who He made us to be. Let’s not measure ourselves by the world’s opinion, but turn to God, our Loving Father, whose opinion is the most important.