Run Forrest, Run!

You know, it's almost comical the line of questions people ask looking for the logic behind someone making a life changing decision. The questions themselves are not comical. It's the fact that no matter how old one is, no matter what gender, what their background is, what their belief system is, the questions are exactly the same, and come in the same sequence:

1. Why are you moving?
   
2. Do you have a place to live?
3. Do you have a job lined up?

Questions 2 and 3, in my case, are necessary because most people relocate to another community for at least one of those two reasons. In my case, those reasons are not truly the motivation. In fact, I don't have any single particular tangible reason to move and leave the city, church and friends I love.

Instead, I'm moving without having a single clue as to what lies beyond even next week. I mean it. That's really true.

I was speaking with my dear friend Lisa on Friday by instant messenger. She succinctly put into words what I have been desperately trying to communicate and grasp for my own understanding. During our conversation, all I could think was "this is a blog waiting to happen". Call me a prophet because she wrote about it later in the day. You can read what she wrote here.

I consider myself something of a spiritual Forrest Gump. If you recall in the movie, Forrest just seems to meander his way through life without any real ambition or plan, yet he somehow lives an extraordinary life which affords him the opportunities of meeting presidents, being a hero, inspiring others, witnessing history, and even making history. The movie weaves a thread through the events of his life which are seemingly incongruous. For example, he is running away from the town bullies, only to race the length of a football field during a team's practice at such a rate of speed, the head coach can't help but get that kid on his team where he enjoys an impressive football career with a college football powerhouse.

Back to Lisa's post and whatever it is I'm trying to say at 12:45 am of my last day in San Jose. I have no tangible expecation in this move. I am not moving to make my fortune in some industry. I'm not moving to be an integral part of a specific ministry in a particular church. I'm not moving because I have met the woman of my dreams and prayers. I'm not moving because I'm buying my dream home.

I'm moving because it's the hardest thing for me to do. Excercise is difficult. It's not meant to be easy. But it is good for us. It is necessary for development. It is necessary for our health. I'm excercising my faith in a way I've never had to before. Any one, or all, or none of the things I listed in my previous paragraph may come to pass as a result of this move. I have no idea. But I am trusting that the Lord has something in store for me on the other side of this transition. I don't know what it is, but I'm believing I will be a better man for this experience.


I think Forrest and his mother looked at life incorrectly. Rather than seeing life as a box of chocolates in which you "never know what you're gonna get", I know that when I open that box, I'm going to find a bunch of chocolate. No surprise. I trust the contents of the box are going to be consistent with what the label said I'd find inside. The adventure and treasure in life comes by taking a bite and seeing what goodness lies on the inside.


Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed are those who take refuge in him.