In the 1993 fantasy comedy Groundhog Day, actor Bill Murray plays the role of a judgmental, egotistical weatherman named Phil Connors. While covering groundhog Punxsutawney Phil’s annual weather prediction, Murray’s character finds himself trapped in a time loop in which he forever relives the second day of February. Only when Connors re-examines his priorities and motivation is he freed from an endless cycle of repetition. Compassionate consideration of others is key to Connors’ redemption and release.
Such insights are not new. Two millennia ago, St. Paul realized personal inner-change precedes cultural or institutional change. In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul pleaded with followers of Jesus not to allow themselves to be conformed to the ways of their society, but rather to allow God to transform and renew their patterns of thought and behavior. Paul writes:
“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
(Romans 12: 9-18)
Whenever we deplore the state of society or despair over the health of the church, we might best begin by contemplating ways in which our own inner transformation and growth could pave the way for God’s action. As in the movie Groundhog Day, in our own lives outward change comes only after the inner, spiritual work is done. Real life diverges from the movie fantasy in that we aren’t blessed with infinity of days; there’s a greater urgency surrounding our inner work.
Here are a few questions to ponder in your spiritual journey as an individual and in our spiritual journey as a congregation committed to following our Lord, Jesus Christ:
- What priorities and motivations trap me in a cycle of spiritual “numbness” or “sameness?”
- How might I allow God to transform and renew my mind?
- How would committing to live each day according to St. Paul’s spiritual recommendations change congregational life; life at home, school or work; or American society?
A musical adaption of the movie Groundhog Day is scheduled to premiere in March of this year. Hopefully, we all will have made progress in breaking free of our own cycles of spiritual sameness.
– Pastor Derek French