Shaped Over Time

In the movie Groundhog Day, Phil Connors wakes up to the same day again and again. He hears the same alarm, the same music, and has the same conversations and expectations. At first, it’s funny, but after a while, Phil feels tired, frustrated, and angry. No matter how hard he tries, the day always starts over.

Maybe you can relate. Life is meaningful, but it can also feel repetitive. The days go by, but our routines stay the same and regardless of how hard we try, habits and challenges can resurface again and again.

The Bible speaks honestly about this feeling. In chapter 7 of Romans, the apostle Paul speaks to the reality of our weakness or ability to change ourselves. He admits that our efforts are limited, even when we mean well. By the end of the chapter, Paul reminds us that real change comes from depending on God, not just trying harder.

In Romans 8, the focus shifts from struggling on our own to finding freedom and life in the Spirit. Paul reminds us that God is with us, especially when we feel our limits the most.

This promise is important on days when we feel tired, when old problems come back, or when we feel stuck in the same patterns. We are not alone. God is working in us, around us, and often in ways we cannot see.

In the movie Groundhog Day, the repetition doesn’t go away, but it changes. When Phil stops trying to control the outcome of the day, that same day becomes a chance for him to grow. In the same way, as we surrender to the Lord and allow Him to work through us, the Lord shapes us over time.

Romans assures us that nothing is wasted – not the hard days, the routines, or the long seasons. Our confidence is not in ourselves, but in God, who is faithfully continuing His work in us, shaping us through every repetition and trial.