It’s been a crazy week and when I sat down in my chair after flying all day Monday I turned on the TV and flipped the channel right to one of the greatest movies of all time Forrest Gump.
Forrest is sitting on a bench telling anyone who would listen to him all the things he did.
It went right to the scene when his mother was dying and Forrest said, “Momma, what is my destiny?”
She told him that, “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know which one you are going to get.”
The entire movie has Forrest running, literally and figuratively.
One of the things I love about his character is that he never tried to be anyone but Forrest and because he was so comfortable being himself, he accomplished great things.
He became a war hero, a ping pong champion and started the Bubba Gump Shrimp company just to name a few of his accomplishments.
Forrest spoke a little slow and was a simple-minded genius that did great things despite his obvious shortcomings.
The problem is that the movie is fiction.
But find me a person who knows who he or she is and is and they live in that identity, and I will show you a successful person. I’ll show you a confident person.
For generations, people have struggled with their identities.
We search and yearn for it. We strive and drive towards it. It’s that something we could never put our finger on but it is the one thing that keeps us on the journey always looking for it.
Who am I, and what is my destiny?
Moses had to ask the same questions and this Friday we are going to look at how Moses encountered the great I AM and how it changed history forever.
There has never been a time where so many people are confused about who they are.
The remedy for the confusion is really simple:
1. Believe who God says He is.
2. Believe who God says you are.
I hope you will join us this Friday so you can say with confidence, "I am who I am because the great I AM said I am."
Mandie Pinto will be leading us in worship and we are so blessed to have her back! There will be a special baptism, a great meal and a special teaching on Forrest Gump and Moses. You don't want to miss Encounter this Friday!
Be Blessed and Encouraged
Bill Rieser
Encounter Pastor
bill@thehopeencounter.org