Writer Lauren Windle watched Netflix’s Wellmania with interest and amusement, but couldn’t help thinking there was one route to ‘wellness’ the main character should have tried.
Wellmania is the latest Netflix series depicting a flawed woman’s journey through self-discovery and self-improvement. It’s funny – very rude and for many of us, deeply relatable. And that, dear friends, is why we need all Jesus.
The protagonist Liv has a successful career as a food writer in New York and is offered the opportunity of a lifetime judging the next big cooking show. But she’s denied a visa to work in the States due to her health. OK – I know what you’re thinking; none of that’s relatable, but hear me out. In response to the visa news Liv, played by Aussie actor Celeste Barber, embarks on a search of a quick health fix. She takes highly addictive anti-anxiety medication, does juice cleanses and “cupping” treatments, she holds “grounding” crystals, attempts areal yoga and eventually joins a gym.
All of these attempts at wellness, fulfilment and peace, left me thinking how much simpler it would be if she just had a chat with Jesus.
In the process, she prioritises herself over her family and friends and in true Bridget Jones-esque style, gets into all sorts of predicaments along the way. It’s funny and comedian Celeste Barber, is the perfect person to bring life to the chaos. But all of these attempts at wellness, fulfilment and peace, left me thinking how much simpler it would be if she just had a chat with Jesus.
In fairness, it would be a bit of a rubbish show if she realised she was in a pickle, did some prayer, read her Bible and came to peace with whatever God’s will was in the situation. But I truly believe that’s the solution to her searching.
Pre-Christianity I tried many things to fill that God-shaped hole in my life; drugs, parties, people and popularity, money, success, power, the perfect body, a relationship – it goes without saying that if I got those things I still felt empty. And when I wanted those things but didn’t achieve them, I felt empty and inadequate. Then I met Jesus and slowly, honestly very slowly, my mindset started to shift and what I was searching for changed too.
Even as a Christian I’ve tried crash diets and juice cleanses (I lasted one day).
I didn’t completely stop looking for quick fixes, even as a Christian I’ve tried crash diets and juice cleanses (I lasted one day). I’ve attempted different faddy forms of exercise and been convinced that if I was in a relationship I would feel more settled both in and out of the Church. None of this is true. Jesus knows it and so do I (deep, deep down).
In aligning my priorities with Jesus’ and praying for a heavenly perspective on earthly things, I believe I’m gifted the freedom to live to the fullest. It’s up and down, and I’ve not got it nailed, but I’m delighted not to be where I was before I knew him. Also, I’ve found that Jesus does care that I’m healthy. He doesn’t think I’m fat or think I need to crash diet so I can have a “Love Island body” by July. But he wants me to nourish my body, care for it and move it regularly – not so I look better, but so it serves me for longer into my life so I can continue to serve him.
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