Relentless Pursuit

I just finished watching Forrest Gump. I think it is one of my favorite movies. Not only is the music perfectly timed to the era, but the amount of history, whether accurately portrayed or satirically shot, is simply brilliant to me. I also find the character of Jenny very intriguing. On one hand, the movie is about all of the experiences that Forrest Gump has - his endless curiosity without life actually being about answering questions - and on the other hand there is this female character that is so broken inside. She grew up with an alcoholic and abusive father, and because of these experiences has let men become the center of her life. Being used and using others is the game.

Gump is his own commentator throughout the entire movie and the audience sees Forrest recalling Jenny, thinking of Jenny, writing to Jenny - all without even a response from her. He pursues her, but not because she’s gorgeous, or because she lavishes him with compliments, or even because she acknowledges him. No, he pursues her because that’s what friends do: they stick around. Forrest has this personality trait that makes him steadfast… that makes him the guy who is always there. This terrifies Jenny, who grew up knowing little else than the belief that what your body goes for is what makes or breaks you.

This strange dichotomy runs in the background throughout the entire movie. Two people playing a game of chase, only one of them isn’t even aware that the other person won’t stop chasing her. She can’t grasp the notion that someone would be so faithful to her.

In a very strange way, I see the prodigal son appear in the midst of this movie. I see God’s parable to us: a broken person running in all sorts of different directions, but each time she looks, there is one constant in her life; always there, regardless of her circumstances, regardless of the fact that she is inconsistent and conditional in her love for others.

To some, that may be a terrifying thought. “God is just sitting up there… watching me? Don’t you think that’s a little creepy? I mean, doesn’t He have other things to do?” Yes. And no. That’s one of the astounding parts about God - He can multi-task. And He would rather pay attention to one of His own children than watch the season finale of American Idol. Max Lucado once said, “Your picture is on God’s fridge.” We are that precious to Him.

Have you ever noticed how parents watch their children play? I’m not a parent, but allow me to humor you. I’ll bet they’re watching to make sure their kid doesn’t do anything stupid like pretend to be Superman off the monkey bars, or poke the neighborhood boy Timmy in the eyeball with the stick/light-saber. What I see when I look at these parents are their eyes. A child will run off to play, not even aware that Mom and Dad are watching them literally every second. Their eyes are full of wonder, curiosity, protection, and pride. Moving from the sandbox to the swing set is a big move… and the eyes follow accordingly. A bird swoops in near the playground to find his dinner. The child follows with his hands in the air, running at full speed. Does the now wide-eyed parent sit there while he chases the aviator? I’d venture to guess no.

Is that creepy? Of course not. It’s called ownership. Whether it frightens us or not, we belong to God… not in an “I Dream of Jeannie” sort of way, but in a way that gives us protection.

To some, it doesn’t make sense. I find myself fitting into this category sometimes. How can God never tire of my lack-luster efforts at discipleship? I mean, really. There was yesterday when I forgot to pray all day, and a few years ago where I was just a selfish little kid, and then there was that month where I lost my Bible and didn’t bother to find it.

Do you know what that is, though? That’s an internal score card. God doesn’t play that game. Psalm 103 says, “as far as the east is from the west, so far have our transgressions been removed.” He doesn’t keep track of our unfaithfulness. He knows who you are, even though you keep running, insistent on trying to find yourself. Even when you come to a short realization of your need and then leave again, He stands there willingly… waiting.

In the movie there is a pivotal scene as the two of them stand outside a bus station. Jenny says, “why are you so good to me, Forrest?” At this point she has exhausted her resources; it is as if she is saying, “I don’t get it. I don’t understand how your patience hasn’t waned. Haven’t you seen my unfaithfulness?”

His reply? He cocks his head sideways, as if it’s a silly question, and says, “Because you’re my girl, Jenny.” Perhaps not the most profound words, but I think in that moment she realizes her worth. She realizes that the game of hide-and-seek is one she’d been playing, and that faithfulness had been following her all along.

God is there, too. Find comfort in His faithfulness - that continues a relentless pursuit of us in spite of ourselves.