The Face Of God Series

In 1961, at age 38, Jean started a diet sponsored by the New York City Department of Health. After 10 weeks she was 20 pounds lighter, but starting to lose motivation. She realized that what she needed was someone to talk to for some support…

Since she couldn’t get her friends to make the trek with her to Manhattan for the official health department regimen, she brought the “science” of the program to their living rooms in Queens. Jean and her friends would all lose weight together. Out of those first meetings grew Weight Watchers, widely recognized as one of the most effective weight-loss programs in the world. Nidetch’s idea was simple: Losing weight requires a combination of dieting and peer support. She held weekly meetings with weight check-ins and goal setting to promote accountability, coupled with honest, supportive conversation about the struggles, setbacks, and victories over losing weight.

Eventually, Nidetch, who’d lost seventy-two pounds, rented office space and started leading groups all across New York City. In 1963 she incorporated, and by the year 2007, Weight Watchers International had retail sales of over $4 billion from licenses, franchisees, membership fees, exercise programs, cookbooks, portion-controlled food products, and a magazine. Nidetch retired in 1984, and the company’s current CEO, Dave Kirchhoff says, “Though the science of weight loss has evolved over the years, the core of Jean’s program – support and accountability – has remained constant.” (Keith Ferrazzi, Who’s Got Your Back? Broadway Business, 2009, pp. 9-10, www.PreachingToday.com)

It’s a simple fact of life: We need each other even though at times we needle each other. We need the support and accountability. We need the fellowship especially on our journey with Christ. None of us can go it alone and do well. So please, don’t ever walk away like Jacob did. Stay close to the fellowship of believers, and there you WILL see the face of God.

If you’re looking for the face of God in your life, look for it in the face of forgiveness on your brother; look for it in the face of favor on your sister; and look for it in the face of fellowship with your brothers in sisters in Christ.

I am loved, I am loved, I can risk loving you

For the One who knows me best loves me most.

I am loved, you are loved – Won’t you please take my hand?

We are free to love each other – we are loved. (William J. and Gloria Gaither)

The face of God is the face of love in each other. Please, don’t miss seeing it today.