The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. – John 10:10 ESV
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Perhaps you remember the movie – Groundhog Day. Each day Bill Murray wakes up and relives the same day as before. When he first realizes that his days are repeating, he takes advantage of his knowledge for his own benefit. But later on, he realizes that perhaps he should make some life changes and that helps him escape his time loop.
You may be in your own “groundhog day cycle” that looks something like this:
- The kids are fine for a few days and then BAM, they do something stupid and then you go nuts….then they’re sweet for a day or two and you’re back to fine….then they get into some new trouble and you’re all crazy again.
- Your job is going well for a couple of months then the department troublemaker attacks you in a meeting and you get all bent out of shape for a few days…later on you get back to normal…then he returns and it’s back to being bent out of shape.
- Your paycheck covers all the bills for a change, but then a bill payment is rejected and BAM, you’re frustrated and mad as heck for a week…then things settle down and it’s back to normal….then, something else happens with the finances and you’re back to mad as heck for a week…then…
- Your friends are fine and then Barbara says something ugly and all of you are at odds and then you make up…then the next week Laurie says something mean and all of you are back at each other’s throats.
Do you enjoy this yo-yo life?
This is the rinse, repeat, rinse, repeat Groundhog Day sort of life.
Doesn’t sound like the abundant kind of life Jesus talked about.
Do you want more from life than constantly “struggling with life’s ups and downs” like Groundhog day?
Do you really?
If you do want more…if you want deep, abiding peace in the midst of both good and bad days….if you want to be joyful and resolute and positive in the face of poor, often repetitive, circumstances….if you want to smile more than frown…then…
Then, you need to get in close proximity to Jesus as author Rocky Flemming says. I like that word proximity. It implies intimacy.
Closeness to Him solves this dilemma. Closeness in prayer, in turning to Him, in seeking Him, in still quiet moments with Him and in times of meditation on His Word as the Spirit guides.
There is no doubt, we “will face many trials” in this life. But, there is also a reality that says that we can have sustained inner peace and calm and even joy in the midst of suffering as James 1 says.
What will you choose?
Stay in the same closed loop of Groundhog Day? Up and down and down and up?
Or will you choose to move closer to Jesus? I am 100% convinced that He is the only lasting answer and the sooner you and I embrace this truth the better….for you, me and for the world around us.
Prayer
Jesus I am tired of my seeming up and down world, my Groundhog Day life. I am tired of being a slave to my feelings and circumstances. I want more. I want my mind to change. I want off this loop. Jesus, I want to be close to You. I want Your healing, Your Peace, Your life, Your abundance. Help me to recognize when I get into my Groundhog Day up and down loop. Help me to realize that this is NOT the life You designed for me as Your child. I need your help to get off of this cycle. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. – James 1:2-8