Forrest the Savior?

Running is a particular powerful image in the movie Forrest Gump.  From the beginning of the movie where Jenny shouts "run Forrest, run!", to Vietnam and throughout the movie, Forrest's ability to run is what makes him unique.  Forrest, of course, does not see this as making him very unique.  However, it is his ability to just run on a path that propels his life.

In the midst of much turmoil in his life, Forrrest one day, for "no particular reason" just decides to run.  He just starts running.  He has no reason, no destination, he just decides to run.  He runs out of his county, out of his state, and starts to run endlessly across the country.  The spiritual paradox of his running is made apparent in the people who begin to follow him.    As he continues to run, people begin to identify with him.  They begin to see him as a person with a mission.  They begin to see him as a prophet.  They begin to see him as a savior.  They follow him in the hopes that he will give them something.  They long for him to give them some wisdom about his purpose.

The climactic scene is when Forrest is on a long road.  There is a large crowd following him.  Suddenly Forrest stops.  The crowd is awe struck.  Their expectation is high.  They sense that Forrest is about to give them something.  He is being followed by reporters.  They ask him.  Are you running for world peace?  Are you running for the environment, for animals, or for nuclear arms?   His reply is simple but profound.  "I just felt like running."

Sometimes we're not content to just run.  Sometimes we look outside ourselves for someone who appears to have a purpose in their lives.  What we fail to realize is that all of us are just running.

Are you content to run just for the sake of running?