March 27, 2023

Stuck?

In the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray, Phil (Bill Murray) is a weather reporter forced to go to Punxsutawney on February 2nd to cover the famous groundhog, also named Phil. Phil, the weather guy, is selfish, ambitious, and conceited trying to work his way up the weather broadcasting ladder. Through a Hollywood turn of events, he becomes stuck in February 2nd. Every day the same as the day before, he is trapped in Punxsutawney, a place he doesn’t want to be and a place he cannot leave because no matter what he does today, in the morning it is Feb. 2nd all over again. Phil is STUCK! We watch Phil be selfish, doing whatever he likes, because he will neither be hurt nor suffer the consequences of his actions. This selfish fun grows old and he becomes depressed to the point he tries to kill himself but, even these attempts don't work as every morning at 6am his alarm goes off and he’s back in Feb. 2nd. How does Phil get unstuck? He turns from caring for and about himself to caring for and about others.

Have you ever felt stuck? Physically? Spiritually? or Mentally? Sometimes we get stuck in ruts of our own making, or stuck in ruts of circumstance, or stuck in ruts of habit. Stuck doing the same thing over and over again. Soon, perhaps without realizing it, we look around and discover we seem unable to do anything to get unstuck. Stuck doing the same things over and over again digging ruts deeper and deeper. We may join Phil and wonder why we’re stuck, or maybe try to be satisfied with being stuck, or wonder how we can get unstuck and move on. Phil discovered the way to be unstuck and move on to February 3rd was to care for and about others. Paul has similar words for us in Philippians chapter 2: 1-4

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Stuck? What’s the solution? Similar to Phil’s discovery, Paul encourages us to be unstuck by having the mind of Christ and by looking to the interests of others. I know it is easier said than done, but don’t forget we are not alone having to muster up our own power, God: Father, Son and Spirit are with us empowering us to move forward.
Blessings on your Lenten journey!

Pastor Pam Wells – CGUMC