Mark Katrick faith column: Like Phil Connors in 'Groundhog Day,' God helps us learn, grow
By the time you sit down with your cup of coffee to read this column, you will know whether the groundhog (specifically Punxsutawney Phil or Buckeye Chuck) has seen his shadow, and if there will be six more weeks of winter.
If that is not enough to digest (along with your toast, bagel, bran muffin or donut), there is also the distinct possibility that I’ll be writing about the movie, “Groundhog Day,” AGAIN!
It’s the same old, same old from Katrick. Or is it? If Phil Connors gets to relive Feb. 2 over and over again until he gets it right, I should be able to write a column about Feb. 2 until I get it right.
Mark Katrick faith column: Finding the light in the darkness of January
The reason “Groundhog Day” is one of my favorite movies is that Connors, played by Bill Murray, is transformed from his weaknesses and vulnerabilities into a better person, right before our very eyes. This is the kind of positive change that I preach and teach as a pastor and support and encourage as a spiritual guide.
Just like my sermons, the first drafts of my columns are written months in advance. That way they can be reread and rewritten again and again and again. Each time, the Holy One, who gave me these words to begin with, makes them come to life, so I can relive, relate to and grow with them once more.
This kind of continuous connection with God and each other is what helps us to put our gifts and talents to their best use. At the end of this day, when we turn our calendars to Feb. 3, you and I will have had yet another opportunity to live, learn and grow into the persons we’re meant to be, just like Phil Connors.
Mark Katrick faith column: Keep it simple, accentuate the positive and avoid double negatives
The only difference is that we won’t be waking up to “I Got You Babe” on our alarm clock radios, like Phil. (You Sonny and Cher fans can always YouTube it on your cellphones, if you’d like.)
The Good News is that GOD’S GOT YOU! So after you take that last gulp of coffee and head out into the world, God will send transforming agents to make you and your life better.
When you open your hearts to the Christ within, he will continue to rewrite the story of your lives, until you get it right. And when the Holy Spirit descends upon your hearts, nothing will ever be the “same old, same old.”
Mark Katrick is a pastor and spiritual guide.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Mark Katrick faith column: Like in 'Groundhog Day,' God helps us grow
