While watching the movie entitled “Forrest Gump,” I laughed when Forrest laughed! I found myself cheering when Forrest ran through opposing teams to score a number of touchdowns! I was moved with compassion when he lost his best friend in the Vietnam War! I became excited when I heard the nostalgic music of the 1960’s and I became emotional when he mourned and grieved over the death of his wife!
What captivated my attention most was that even though Forrest Gump was severely limited in his mental understanding, using the wisdom of his mother and practical simplicity, he was still able to become a tremendous success in life despite his deficiencies!
When you read these verses carefully in Ephesians chapter 5, you will discover that Forrest Gump is a modern example of an ancient biblical truth! And this truth is found in the fact that the “wisdom of this world is foolishness to God!” God has a habit of taking the simple and foolish things of life thereby confounding the wise!
Paul says in Ephesians 5 verses 15 through 17:
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
One of the most memorable lines uttered by Forrest Gump was, “Momma said... LIFE IS LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES... BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO GET!”
In other words, life often presents to us a series of experiences wrapped up in colorful attractive boxes and inside of these colorful boxes you will find a variety of delicious delectable “CHOICES!” Life is like that you know! Yes, there is an assortment of roads you can take while traveling down the journey called “LIFE!”
“LIFE” does indeed present an “ASSORTMENT OF CHOICES!” Because you know as well as I do that you never know in this life what life is going to present! But on the other hand we must always keep in mind that “CERTAIN CHOICES” have “CERTAIN CONSEQUENCES!”
The choice you make “TODAY,” will in effect determine which choices will be available on “TOMORROW!” And if you make a foolish choice “TODAY,” you will end up with a foolish consequence “TOMORROW!” Everyone of us if we would but tell the truth, all of us would admit to the fact that we have at one time or another made some “FOOLISH CHOICES!”
But Forrest reminds us of something else that we all need to take into consideration! He says, “Momma said whatever you do you ought to do your best with what God has given you!” The principle involved here is that you should always give God your “BEST” no matter what it is! The problem with many of us is that we have an attitude of “THAT’S GOOD ENOUGH!”
Forrest was “LIMITED” but he gave to “LIFE” and to “GOD” his very best! And because he gave to “LIFE” and to “GOD” his “BEST,” God took his “LITTLE” and turned it into a “LOT!” I know he gave his “BEST” because he risked his life to save his fellow comrades! He subjected himself to both verbal and physical abuse in order to pull someone he loved out of a destructive situation! He loved unconditionally and refused to give up in spite of the many issues he faced!
Forrest Gump believed in “REDEEMING THE TIME” because he gave the “BEST” that he could! That’s what Paul meant in verse 16 of Ephesians chapter 5! He says: “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil...”
Finally, Forrest said something else I believe is worth mentioning! He says, “Momma said a PROMISE IS A PROMISE!” When he came back from Vietnam, the first thing he wanted to do was start a “shrimp business!” He told his family what he wanted to do and they tried to talk him out of it! He told all of his friends what he wanted to do and they also tried to talk him out of it!
Forrest made up his mind that he was going to do it anyway because he had “PROMISED” his dying soldier friend that he would carry out the fulfillment of his dream! When they all tried to talk him out of his dream he said, “A PROMISE IS A PROMISE!”
Well, when you came to Christ by obeying the gospel, either by word or by deed you made a “PROMISE” to live by the “WORD,” the “WILL,” AND THE “WISDOM” of God! But many of us have gotten so far away from that “PROMISE” so I thought it might be helpful for me to remind you that “A PROMISE IS A PROMISE!”
I don’t know about you but God has promised me some things and I believe in the promise He has made! God has PROMISED to be a FRIEND and PICK US UP when men have knocked us down!
God has PROMISED to be our STRENGTH and OPEN CLOSED DOORS that no man can shut! God has PROMISED to be WITH US and in no wise will He FORSAKE US!
God has PROMISED that when we pass through death’s chilling waters..
The waters will not OVERTHROW US... The rivers shall not OVERFLOW US...
The storms will not OVERTAKE US... and the fires will not OVERWHELM US...
I KNOW THAT HIS WORD IS TRUE... His MOTIVES ARE PURE...
His LAW IS JUST... and His WAYS ARE RIGHT...
I KNOW THAT HIS HEART IS KIND... His GRACE IS SUFFICIENT...
His YOKE IS EASY... and His BURDEN IS LIGHT...
I KNOW THAT HIS MERCY IS GREAT... His PEACE IS PERFECT...
His PROMISES ARE SURE... and His POWER IS UNLIMITED...
“BECAUSE A PROMISE IS A PROMISE”
CONCLUSION:
In my conclusion, let me share with you a story that was once told concerning a young law student and Sir William Gladstone! It was said that William Gladstone was one of England’s greatest statesmen and he served as Prime Minister of England from 1868 to 1824!
One day a young man visited Mr. Gladstone and said, “Sir... I have an insatiable desire to study law and the government of our country, but I need to know how you feel about my goal and my ambition!” Gladstone responded by saying, “YES... AND THEN WHAT?”
He said, “I wanted to be accepted by the court of England and as a renown esquire of Juris Prudence!” Gladstone replied... “YES... AND THEN WHAT?”
The young man continued by saying, “I would like to serve in Parliament and gain respect in the House of Lords!” Gladstone said, “YES... AND THEN WHAT?”
He said, “I want to serve faithfully and have an impact on my country and fellow citizens!” Gladstone said, “YES... AND THEN WHAT?”
He said, “Then I would like to retire and live happily the rest of my life!” Gladstone said, “YES... AND THEN WHAT?”
He said, “I suppose after that I will be ready to die and leave a legacy for others to follow!” Gladstone said, “YES... AND THEN WHAT?”
The young man said, “What do you mean ‘AND THEN WHAT?’ I haven’t thought about anything after death!” Gladstone said, “Young man, you need to go back home and THINK LIFE THROUGH!”
Some people have made plans all the way up to death and have not considered... “AND THEN WHAT?” But I thank and praise God, we who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, we know “WHAT” after the “THEN WHAT!”
We who know Jesus we will hear Him say, “Servant of God... WELL DONE! The battle has been fought and the victory has been won!”
When we shall look upon His “THORNED CROWNED BROW...
When we see the “NAIL PRINTS” in His hands...
When we see the “SPEAR MARKS in His side...
When we see the “SPIKE MARKS” in His feet...
When we see the King of kings in the “BEAUTY OF HIS HOLINESS” and in the “HOLINESS OF HIS BEAUTY” we will understand it “THEN” like we cannot understand it “NOW!” Right now just like brother Forrest, “WE ONLY SEE THROUGH A GLASS DIMLY!” But when we come face to face with Jesus, it will all be clear to us “THEN!”
When we come face to face with the Lord, every shadow will have passed away and every whisper will be made louder!
WE THEN CAN THANK HIM... FOR EVERY DARK NIGHT...
THANK HIM... FOR EVERY LONELY WAY...
THANK HIM... FOR EVERY TEAR...
THANK HIM... FOR EVERY TRIAL...
THANK HIM... FOR EVERY TESTING...
