Good morning, everyone.
Our verse for today comes from Acts 5:33, “When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them.”
Even if you’ve experienced the sense of déjà vu, it could in no way compare to what Bill Murray’s character went through in the movie Groundhog Day. Phil, a weatherman, is sent with his crew to cover the Groundhog Day festivities in Punxsutawney, PA. But when Phil wakes up the next day, he quickly realizes he is living out the same day as the one before, but only he knows it. Over and over, day after day, Phil is trapped in the cycle of reliving February 2. Eventually, Phil gets past the insanity-inducing boredom and repetitiveness of the routine, and decides to use his time to woo his producer, Rita. Over time, Phil learns her interests, her passions, and what she wants in a man. But the road is filled with many failures, as Phil’s plan is repeatedly undone by his true self. His self-centeredness and insensitivity eventually shows through as he somehow behaves like a jerk before the day is done. But he is not deterred, and so he eventually learns to speak French, create ice sculpture, become an accomplished pianist, and even flip playing cards across the room into a hat. Ultimately, Phil is successful in winning the heart of Rita, but not before his own heart is changed. His final day in the time trap is spent helping, saving, and blessing the people around him that he had ignored and dismissed repeatedly. And when he awakes the next morning, he and Rita are together to enjoy February 3 and all the days thereafter.
Learning from our past, changing and being different because of our mistakes, is supposed to be the path that takes us to maturity and wisdom. But too many have lived the years but not learned the lessons, and the same ways they have been are the same ways they still are. They gripe the same, they fly off the handle the same, they worry and fret the same. We don’t get an endless number of opportunities to overcome our issues while those around us remain impervious to our failings. Each blunder or misstep has real consequences. And refusing to address what is less than appealing in you traps you in your own hellish version of groundhog day, like the religious leaders who killed Jesus and then wanted to kill his followers. Some things never change, but will you? Just like for Phil, it requires a change in heart, and Jesus is the one to get you to that new day.
As we seek Him today, let Jesus make your today and tomorrow so very different from your years of yesterdays.
Have a different weekend.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
