I like movies, as many of you probably do. I’ve used scenes and sayings from movies as the basis for several articles in the past. If you’re interested, check out “You Can’t Handle the Truth!”, “Ferris Bueller and The Great Commission”, and “Just One Thing.”
In 2024 I watched a movie called “The Forge.” (1) Now, some might look at this movie and question its cinematic quality. And certainly, Christian themed movies in the past, to a large degree, have lacked budget and the quality that accompanies it. Not so true anymore, since the movie industry, producers, and investors have found that there is a substantial market to be tapped for these types of movies.
Still, I doubt that we’ll see “The Forge,” or many movies like it, nominated for awards. No matter how high their production quality, acting, or even the more and more frequent “big name” celebrities who appear in them. Why? Simply because those movies which have an unabashed and purely Christian message will always lack the popularity necessary to win significant acclaim. Of course, there may be, and I hope there are, exceptions. But, for the most part, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (Joh 3:19).
This, of course, doesn’t mean that these movies don’t have messages that can help and encourage us to follow Jesus more closely. “The Forge” certainly does. It is a movie which is primarily about a young man’s search for meaning and purpose in life. Something we can all identify with. He finds his purpose, as you’d expect, but along the way we see the power of prayer displayed prominently. And the impact of discipleship. Not discipleship by happenstance, often ineffective, but by intentional, thoughtful, mentorship. What powerful themes!
While I’d recommend seeing this movie if you can, I’m not a movie reviewer. And I’m not in the business of, as much as I enjoy them, advertising or promoting movies. But, in addition to the powerful themes of prayer and discipleship, there is a phrase in the movie that I can’t get out of my mind. A phase so simple, perhaps even a bit corny, and yet so deep and powerful. I can’t help but ask myself if I can apply it in my life in a more meaningful way as we enter into 2025. Perhaps you can ask yourself the same thing. What’s the phrase? “A fountain or a drain.”
In the movie the main character, a searching and growing young man, is challenged by his mentor. He says, paraphrasing, you have to decide about your life. What will you be? Will you be a fountain or a drain? Maybe this is a familiar phrase to others. Maybe you’ve heard it, or something like it, before. Maybe your first response is something like “isn’t that nice,” or “how quaint.” But I can’t get it out of my mind. It keeps coming back to me. I’d ask you to think hard about it. I am. Just five simple words, a fountain or a drain.
Are we here to pour our lives out for others? Like a “fountain.” Or are we interested in simply sucking everything out of life for our own pleasure and enjoyment? That’s what I’d call a “drain.” Now, of course, there is nothing wrong with enjoying life. God provides much to enjoy through His grace toward us and the whole world. Most of us can say that life is very good. But that isn’t why we are here. We are here to serve.
Naturally, I wouldn’t suggest such a thing if it wasn’t a Biblical idea. It is. And not just “a thing.” It is foundational to our Christian faith and walk. And, as He always does, Jesus sets the example: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mar 10:45). You may know the context. When Jesus said this, He was teaching His disciples about service. Contrasting how the followers of Jesus should be different from the world not seeking their own benefit but the benefit of others through service (see Mar 10:35-45).
Paul the Apostle understood this well. He showed it in His life and taught it to others. He writes, ”Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Php 2:3-4).
When I look at myself, what do I see? What do others see? Do they see someone who is looking ”to the interests of the others?” Someone who is a “fountain.” Pouring his life out for and on others. After all, I think that Jesus was pretty clear when He said “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Mat 25:40).
Pray with me, friends, “Lord, help me to be a fountain not a drain.”
(1) https://www.theforgemovie.com/
David Foucar has a passion for teaching God’s word. His first book, “What Do I Say When Asked About Jesus?” is a conversational approach to helping people answer questions about Jesus. The book provides a layman’s perspective on personal evangelism and the basics of the Christian faith. Dave has been married for thirty-six years to the love of his life, Debbie. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and two granddaughters. To read more of David’s writing visit his Substack page.
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