CP 250 Forrest Gump knew God's name...

CP 250 Forrest Gump knew God’s name…

Here’s something that came via email a week or so ago. It’s as good a bit of humour as you’ll ever want to read. Read on…

***Forrest Gump dies and goes to heaven. He is met at the Pearly Gate by St. Peter himself. The gates are closed, however, and Forrest approaches the gatekeeper. St. Peter says "Well, Forrest, it's certainly good to see you. We have heard so many good things about you.  I must inform you that the place is filling up fast, and we've been giving an entrance quiz for everyone.  The tests are short, but you need to pass before you can get into heaven.

Forrest responds, "It sure is good to be here, St. Peter. I was looking forward to this. Nobody ever told me about any entrance exam. Sure hope the test ain't too hard; Life was a big enough test as it was.”

St. Peter goes on, "I know, Forrest, but the test is only three questions:

1. What days of the week begin with the letter T?

2. How many seconds are there in a year?

3. What is God's first name?”

Forrest goes away to think the questions over. He returns the next day and goes up to St. Peter to try to answer the exam questions.

St. Peter waves him up and says, "Now that you have had a chance to think the questions over, tell me your answers." 

Forrest says, "Well, the first one how many days of the week begin with the letter "T?"  "Shucks, that one's easy. That'd be Today and Tomorrow."

The Saint's eyes open wide and he exclaims "Forrest!   That's not what I was thinking, but... you do have a point though, and I guess I didn't specify, so I will give you credit for that answer."  "How about the next one? How many seconds are there in a year?"

"Now that one's harder" says Forrest, "but I thought and thought about that and I guess the only answer can be twelve." Astounded, St. Peter says "Twelve! Twelve! Forrest, how in Heaven's name could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?"

Forrest says, "Come on, St Peter, there's got to be twelve. January second… February second… March second... " 

"Hold it," interrupts St. Peter. "I see where you're going with it. I guess I see your point, though that wasn't quite what I had in mind, but I'll give you credit for that one too. Let's go on with the next and final question.  Can you tell me God's first name?"

Forrest replied, "Andy."

St. Peter asked how in the world he came up with the name Andy.

Forrest replied, "You know, St. Peter, that song we sing in church: "Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me, Andy tells me I am his own…"

St Peter opens the Gate and says, “Run, Forrest run.”***

You may roll your eyes, but Forrest Gump understood something fundamental about the God who made heaven and earth, and who redeemed a fallen humanity. The Lord’s absolute purpose and passion, joy and delight, is to be with his people! Here are some scriptures to think about:

1. Because of the golden calf idolatry, the Lord declares that he is not going to go with Israel to the Promised Land. Moses intervenes on Israel’s behalf. (Note the words in italics) “Then Moses said to him, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?’ (Exodus 33:15-16)
2. Joshua was told, ‘As I as with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you.’ (Joshua 1:5) Abraham, Jacob, David, Jeremiah, and many other OT figures had the same promise.
3. The promises find their fullest fulfilment in the coming of Jesus Christ. ‘I am not alone, for my Father is with me.’ (John 16:32).
4. John 1:14… “The word became flesh and dwelt (pitched his tent) amongst us.’
5. Matthew 1:23… They will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God with us.’
6. ‘…The Father will give you another counsellor to be with you forever… I will not leave you as orphans… I will come to you… We (the Father and I) will come to you… (John 14-16)
7. ‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me… And I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:18,20)

So you see, Forrest Gump was right. He walks with us, talks with us, tells us we are his own…. His presence is what distinguishes us from all other peoples. By grace, for Christ’s sake, through faith, we are the people of the presence of God. We have been placed ‘In Christ’, and in Christ we are never separated from our Father’s love.