Forrest Gump ventured to see if he could run to the end of the road, then the county line, then the state line, and continued until he reached the ocean. He had gone that far, so he turned around and went the other way, crossing the country at least four times, and people began to follow him without knowing why. When he stopped in the desert, the crowd waited for something profound, yet heard Forrest say, “I’m tired. I’m going home now.” The followers were dumbfounded, not knowing what to do next.

They followed to be part of the crowd and there must have been a reason for the journey. Those who are searching tend to follow anyone who appears to have the answers, either good or bad. School cafeterias were filled with those who dreamed of sitting at the cool table, believing popularity would give their life meaning, yet the value in popularity was just as meaningless as Forrest’s reason for running; he just ran, no earth shattering wisdom, no dynamic motivation; he just ran.

As school days passed, I still longed for a seat at the cool table; stage lights dimmed and dreams faded leaving marginally talented hands idle. There had to be a reason for the tough lessons I had learned and it turned out everything I was chasing was just another “Forrest,” running for the sake of running. I put away my toys and watched dust gather on piano keys wondering why my muse was disinterested. Perhaps she was tired of shouting over amplifiers and loud speakers.

The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel! ” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 1 Samuel 3:10-11 NIV

I, too, have been Samuel, staring at midnight ceilings, awakened by whispers of wisdom, which at times make their way into pencil scribbles and ink spots.

Will the words form cognitive sentences?     God only knows if or when.

Will they reach millions or just the one?     God only knows if or when.

Therefore, I will be Forrest Gump, running just to run, playing just to play, writing just to write. Will my efforts further the Kingdom?     God only knows if or when.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 – NIV

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