Rise And Shine Woodchuck Chuckers!

I love the movie Groundhog's Day.

Why? The reasons are as numerous as the cold, gray mornings Phil the weatherman is forced to endure.

Truly though, this movie is lighthearted and funny, but at the same time there are so many practical applications to be gleaned: Even from a Biblical perspective. The biggest one is how many chances Phil Conners, the main character, is given to get it right. We laugh at him thinking that we would have not had to learn the lesson in such a hard way, but think about it. How many times has God given you a redo on that same old sin you keep falling for? Perhaps we are all not so different.

Here's another point I love. No matter how bad Phil messes up, how mean or self-centered he was, he started with a clean slate every morning. Isn't that what we are given when our sins are forgiven by God? Aren't we washed clean by the sacrificial blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God when we ask His forgiveness? Often, even though forgiven, we have to deal with the consequences of our sins or of those around us. Phil had to live every morning with the actions of every day leading up to that fateful February 2nd, but it was his choice after that as to what he would do with it. How he would succumb or overcome.

We have the same choice. Do we wallow in our self pity for what was done when we were a slave to sin? Or do we look at today as the day to set things straight and live a vibrant life as a slave to Jesus Christ?

TODAY is the day you choose. For everyday can be Groundhog's day.