Groundhog Day

Today is Groundhog Day. Every year on February 2nd, people all over the country anticipate the news of whether or not the groundhog will see his shadow, indicating when Winter will end and Spring will come. Well, I've got some news for you. *spoiler alert--Spring begins March 21st. Whether or not the groundhog allegedly sees his shadow, it is the same every year. It has been the same each year since God created the heavens, the earth, and the seasons. Yet, every year, this tradition holds steady.
As silly as this all may seem, we do the same thing in our spiritual lives. We stick to silly traditions. We look for signs and signals. We do the same things day after day, year after year expecting some sort of miraculous result. We've all heard the definition of insanity, "doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results." We try to do the right things, but our flesh wins out every time. We run around "serving", instead of sitting at the feet of Christ and expect that we will feel differently than Martha did in the same scenario (see Luke 10:38-40). We strive and strive, working in our own strength, and then get surprised when we grow weary. We chase after the cares of this world...vanity, vanity, vanity.
If we want different results, we have to do it a different way. And if we want predictable results, we have to do it God's way. Just like God created the seasons to come and go without fail, He has given us many promises that you can count on.

"Keep His decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord you God gives you for all time." Deut. 4:40

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3-4

"They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:10

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14,15

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

These are just some of the promises from God's word. You do it God's way, you get God's results. Don't let the groundhog fool you, Spring always comes March 21st.

Dawn