CBN.com – Forrest
Gump (1994)
American Film Institute Ranking: 71
Academy Awards: Best Picture; Robert Zemeckis, Best Director;
Tom Hanks, Best Actor; Best Adapted Screenplay; Best Film Editing; Best
Visual Effects
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for drug content, some sensuality,
and war violence
Read: 1 Corinthians 1:18–25
We are fools for Christ. (1 Corinthians 4:10)
“Stupid is as stupid does,” says Forrest Gump, played by
Tom Hanks. To say the least, this man is peculiar. Odd, dumb, and even
plain foolish are other ways of putting it. But for the most part, life
is just fine for this Southern simpleton. He goes to a good school, becomes
a football hero, and is decorated as a Vietnam War hero. He meets presidents
and becomes a shrimp tycoon. He invents the smiley face logo and starts
the fitness craze. He goes to church, helps his disgruntled friend Lt.
Dan (Gary Sinise) come to faith and peace, and marries his lifelong sweetheart,
Jenny (Robin Wright Penn). Though Jenny eventually dies of AIDS, Forrest
is glad to enjoy life with his son, Forrest Jr.
Many might think that God can only use important, smart, and educated
people in his kingdom. We see teachers, preachers, writers, and leaders
doing great exploits, and we think that only those who are wise can really
do something important for God. The Bible says this isn’t true.
In fact, God says, The wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence
of the intelligent will vanish. (Isaiah 29:14)
Peculiar means not only “strange” but also “chosen,
selected, and unique.” The King James Bible calls Christians peculiar
in Titus 2:14 and in 1 Peter 2:9. Like Forrest Gump, we have been selected
for great and marvelous works. In his simplicity, Forrest shames the wise.
His goodness affects all those around him for good, and the audience treasures
him for it. Why not become a fool for Christ and show your own peculiarity
to those around you?
PRAYER IDEA: Praise God for creating you to be unique.
Excerpted from Reflections
for Movie Lovers by Matthew Kinne, published by AMG Publishers/Living
Ink, Chattanooga, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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