FAITH THAT WORKS WEEK 1:

SAME FIGHT, DIFFERENT DAY

In the 1993 comedy “Groundhog Day,” Phil Connors (played by Bill Murray) goes to a small town named Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to report on a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil on February 2nd.  Phil hates the assignment. When a blizzard hits, he tries to leave but wakes up the next morning to find it is February 2nd all over again. No matter what Phil does, every time he goes to sleep and wakes up, the radio plays the same song and the day restarts at 6:00 AM. At first, Phil uses his knowledge of the repeated day to trick people, steal money, and try to date his producer. When nothing he does brings him true happiness, he gets very sad and tries to end his life many times, but he just wakes up again on February 2nd.  Finally, Phil decides to use the endless day to learn new skills and to help the people in the town. It is only when Phil truly learns to care about others (instead of just himself) that the time loop finally breaks, and the next day becomes February 3rd.

Just like Phil, we can find ourselves fighting the same battles, struggling with the same hang-ups or sins, and facing the same problems over and over again. What James points out to us though is that often the problems aren’t the problem, but instead it is we who are the problem. We allow pride and self to get in the way and dictate our desires and our behaviors, and when we do, we find that we are continuously fighting the same battles. 

The writer of Ephesians tells us that our battle is not physical but spiritual (Ephesians 6:12) and spiritual battles can only be won in the spiritual. Don’t keep fighting the same battles repeatedly. True victory starts with surrender, humbling ourselves and allowing God to change our hearts. Allow him to reorder your desires, choose his ways over your own.  The greatest battle in your life is not with another person or with your circumstances. It is the battle over who rules your desires.  Allow God to reorder your priorities. Surrender your desires to his desires and experience his peace in your life.