On the Israelite Day of Atonement, the priest was to symbolically lay all of the sins of the people on a goat chosen by lot to be sent into the desert. Thus the scapegoat was born. The goat didn’t do anything wrong; he just took the blame.
I think the groundhog is a modern day scapegoat of sorts. Instead of removing our guilt, though, he clears Mother Nature. Depending on where you live, come February, spring may be in the air. Birds start singing. Flowers begin to poke their heads up through the ground. Then it snows. Brrr! The calendar told us spring wouldn’t start for another seven weeks, but rather than admit our high expectations, we blame Mr. Groundhog for the cold. Poor old Punxsutawney Phil!
Groundhog’s Day is a lighthearted way to cope with the disappointment of unreasonable expectations. The scapegoat, taken seriously, helped people deal with the disappointment of impossible expectations. God knew the people would not be capable of keeping the law in its entirety, so He provided atonement: symbolically through the scapegoat, permanently through Christ.
As you journey through life, your expectations may be high. It’s only human to long for perfection, though we’ll never find it on this Earth. To your delight and satisfaction, some expectations will be met. Others, inevitably, will lead to disappointment. Take these to Christ, your High Priest. Let Him help you cope and maintain a light heart.
Father, when things don’t go my way, help me to cope, rather than blame. Amen.
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