Get A Life

A few years ago, I watched a movie called GROUND HOG DAY. When I first saw the commercial advertising it, I thought it really looked stupid. But when I watched it, I got all caught up in it.

The movie is about a real jerk who lives Ground Hog Day (which happens to be his least favorite Day of the year) over and over and over. Why is Ground Hog Day his least favorite day of the year? Because he is a television news weatherman who is stuck on himself; and he feels that covering the Ground Hog Day festivities in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania is beneath him. Yet each and every year, he is compelled by his television station to cover the event for the broadcast. This weatherman (played by Bill Murray) is rude and obnoxious, and doesn’t care about anything or anyone but himself.

The movie was more than entertaining to me. In fact, I ended up watching it over and over and over. I must have watched it for two weeks solid, every night. I couldn’t get away from it. This movie was saying something. And the message that it gives is of great importance.

(Okay, okay. Just keep reading.)

Let’s look at what happened in this movie. As I said, this weatherman, played by Bill Murray, got stuck in his least favorite day of the year. And when he realized that he was living the same day over and over, he (of course) began to react to this strange “Twilight Zone” existence.

At first, I don’t think he really realized what was going on. He may have just thought he’d had too much to drink, or that it was possibly an extreme case of deja-vu! But then, he was kind of in shock and began to panic! Then he found that no matter what he did, there were no consequences to face the next day. Because it wasn’t ever the next day; it was the same day all over again. He started to enjoy this idea of no consequences. I mean, if you start over each day, and yesterday never was, then nothing matters. Each and every day (well, the same day) he did whatever he wanted! He stole a bag of money. He dressed however he wanted. He hurt people. He used people. It was really as though he was always by himself, even though he was around other people, because it wasn’t really real. Tomorrow would see a brand-new start.

But then he found that the same old thing over and over was horribly empty. Starting fresh every day wasn’t really a new start at all, because it was the same day all over again. He was going nowhere! It was so dull and mundane and hopeless…that he actually wanted to die! But the sad part was, he couldn’t!! No matter what this self-centered weatherman did to end it all, he always woke up the next day (I mean, the same day) at 6 AM to the tune of “I got you babe” playing on the alarm clock/radio.

Let me pause right here to ask: Have any of you out there ever just wanted to die? Who were you thinking of when you thought such thoughts? Your mom? Your friends? No!! You were thinking of yourself!!

Then, probably just out of sheer boredom at first, he stopped thinking about how he could use people to gratify himself and saw that it’s not so bad just being open, being a friend, being pleasant! He actually began to help people. He also began to appreciate the finer things in life.

He found that the things he used to spend all his time chasing after weren’t really that important after all. He had found the key to a truly happy and full life…he found that self-sacrifice, helping others, and giving of yourself is what really makes the world go ‘round’.

The movie ends with the next day. Yes!!

Finally!!…The next day!! It wasn’t Ground Hog Day anymore!! He had found the key to living, and life began again!!

This movie tells a story that each of us needs to hear. That message is that we must first learn to care about others, before we can really have a happy and meaningful life. You see, the principles of the Kingdom are all paradoxical. To be first, you must be last; to be greatest, you must be the servant of all; to gain, you must give; to live, you must die; and you must take up a cross if you want to wear a crown. This was the mind which Christ Jesus had. Even though He was God, he made Himself of no reputation, and was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. And that is why He has been given a Name that is above every name: that at the Name of Jesus; every knee shall bow (not just some), and every tongue (not just a few) shall confess that He is Lord of all!

You see, you are not all there is to living. Living is giving. Philippians 2:3 says: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves.” Treat others as though you’re treating the Lord Jesus Christ that way. I realize how difficult it is to think of others as better than ourselves. We all have a hard time acting selfless, especially with all this self-esteem garbage that is being purported in the land. Nevertheless, that is the Word of God. And God knows best. Don’t be so caught up in yourself that others disappear. You don’t want to be caught in a vacuum like that weatherman.

Those of you out there who may be stuck on yourselves, hear me good. You’re just going to keep on spinning your wheels, and getting nowhere in life in those things that truly matter, until you learn to look outside yourself, and really start living!

Give of yourself, and GET A LIFE!