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Q. My friends and I are addicted to makeover shows. I don't think there's anything wrong with home makeover shows, but what about ones where people dramatically change their looks?

A. I like shows that change rooms, houses and cars. It's cool to see how they can take something broken or boring and turn it into something amazing. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition adds a compassionate touch by helping out needy families.

Personal makeover shows range from nottoobad to downright creepy. The good ones help people make a few strategic changes to see themselves as more attractive and gain confidence.

But there's a fine line between helping people feel better about themselves and delivering the message "you're not good enough the way you are." Several shows encourage people (especially women) to believe a giant lie: Your significance in life depends on how you look. Because of that, you need to spend $5,000 on your wardrobe or $10,000 on plastic surgery to become a better person.

Appearance doesn't define us or determine who we are. In 1 Samuel 16:7, God told Samuel that he looks right past the outside and into people's hearts. It's great to feel confident about yourself, but the deepest and truest way we can really improve ourselves is by committing ourselves to God and asking him to make us what he wants us to be. If you're really watching hours and hours of these shows, why not cut back and spend some time making over your spiritual life?

Copyright © 2005 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
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