Run, Child of God, Run

I love the scene in the movie Forrest Gump where the bullies are throwing rocks at young Forrest and Jenny. Forrest has braces on his legs, and Jenny, fearing for his safety, yells, “Run, Forrest! Run!” Forrest takes off, slow and bumbling because of the metal holding his legs. Swinging his scrawny limbs awkwardly, Forrest only makes his escape slower and more cumbersome as he continues to turn his head to see the three little monsters pedaling their bikes. They are gaining on him!

Finally, his efforts break the braces. They fall away and Forrest is free to truly run. It’s interesting to me that from this point on, Forrest Gump never looks back! There’s a message in that for you and me! You see, looking back can be dangerous because it limits God’s power in your present and future. When you look back, you see your failures. You see your tormentors gaining ground. Anxiety mounts.

Let me tell you about anxiety. Anxiety is nothing more than imagining a future without God. Anxiety is all about things that haven’t happened and probably never will. Stop borrowing trouble from the future! Likewise, old hurts, habits, and hangups need to stay in the past. Relationships that tear you away from God’s purpose should remain there, too. Don’t look back the way the children of Israel looked back at Egypt or the way Lot’s wife looked back at Sodom and Gomorrah. They actually longed for the bondage and sin they left behind!

Hear me on this: that’s not you! You are a kingdom thinker. When you look to your past, you look for Jesus working in your life. When you do this, you learn to see Him in your present and future. Did He give you direction when you had none or provide a miracle that changed everything? Did He provide blessings and favor or save you from disaster? He was with you, I promise you that!

Your past is something you should learn from, build upon, and find Jesus in. He’s there. He’s the only reason to look back. Now, run!

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. – Isaiah 43:18-19