It’s Groundhog Day, are you ready?

Watching for the "Shadow" of His Coming (a Spiritual parallel?)

Every year, crowds gather in Punxsutawney

As Phil the groundhog emerges from his burrow. Everyone holds their breath:

Does he see his shadow (more winter) or not (early spring)?

It's a beloved ritual full of hope and hype, but Phil's predictions are more entertainment than accuracy—historically right about 39% of the time.

Jesus described signs that would mark the season before His return:

wars and rumors of wars, nations rising against nations, famines, earthquakes, false messiahs, persecution of believers, and the gospel proclaimed to all peoples (Matthew 24:4-14). These are like the "birth pains" getting stronger and closer together.

Many Christians today scan the news

like those Groundhog Day spectators: "Is this conflict the big one? That disaster? This cultural shift?" We pop our heads up, looking for the "shadow" of escalating end-times signs.

But Jesus warned us not to be deceived or alarmed—these things must happen,

but the end isn't yet (Matthew 24:6-8). And crucially: "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven" (Matthew 24:36). Unlike Phil's folksy forecast, God's signs are reliable indicators of the season, but they're not a precise calendar.

So what is our Groundhog Day Spiritual Lesson?

Watch faithfully without date-setting, fearmongering, or checking out spiritually if the "winter" feels too long. Live ready every day—repenting, loving others, sharing the gospel—because Christ's return will burst forth like an eternal spring when God says it's time, sudden and glorious, "like a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

Our hope is anchored in God's sovereignty, not Phil’s shadow.

Groundhog Day Blessings

Jeff (frozen in Minnesota) Larson

Remembering a warmer Minnesota Ground Hog Day 2024 —>