You can’t script change. Growth in Christ is not formulaic. Although God has ordained means of grace such as his Word and prayer, there is no fail-safe algorithm that gets you to the finish line each day. You can’t simply replicate today’s triumphs tomorrow. 

We recently celebrated that oddest of American traditions, Groundhog Day. Every February 2, the nation awaits a weather prediction from “Phil,” a groundhog who makes his home in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. If he sees his shadow that morning, it means six more weeks of wintery weather or so the lore goes. If he doesn’t see his shadow, it predicts an early spring. This tradition was immortalized in the film Groundhog Day (1993) starring Bill Murray and Andie McDowell.

If you’re not familiar with the film, Bill Murray plays a cynical, self-important weatherman named Phil Conners. His Pittsburgh TV station sends him, along with producer Rita Hanson (Andie McDowell) and cameraman Larry (Chris Elliot), to cover the Groundhog Day festivities in Punxsutawney. Following their live report, they start to head home. But due to worsening blizzard conditions, they have to turn back and spend another night in Punxsutawney. The next morning, Phil (the weatherman, not the groundhog) awakens at 6 AM, only to find himself in a time loop—it’s February 2 all over again. In fact, he is now destined to repeat February 2 again and again. At first, he is completely disoriented. Then he realizes he can do whatever he wants without consequences so he binges on food, sex, and even crime. But sated with never-ending pleasure, he begins to despair. He commits suicide using multiple means on successive days, always awakening at 6 AM on February 2. (That’s the darker side of the movie). Eventually, he uses the endless repetition to pursue new interests (e.g. learning to play the piano) and to serve others, sometimes preventing tragedies (a child falling out of a tree, a man choking at dinner). The time trap ends, seemingly when he is content to enjoy the day as given and has developed genuine pleasure in giving himself to others.

Are you wondering what this has to do with sanctification?

As with any secular film, Groundhog Day can’t help but portray truths, however dimly, about God’s world. Romans 1:19 tells us that even fallen image bearers know something about God at their core. And this movie displays themes (albeit unwittingly) that are particularly relevant to the process of sanctification in believers. Here are a few to consider:

• The futility of self-centered living. At first, Phil is overjoyed to pursue pleasure seemingly without consequence. But is it really without consequence? Like the Teacher in Ecclesiastes, he must reckon with the ultimate emptiness of pleasurable pursuits. The only thing that really counts is “faith working through love” (Gal 5:6).

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