Be a Fountain, Not a Drain – Lessons from The Forge.

I found myself watching the same Christian movie I have kept on my phone for the past two years. Today is Sunday, and after church service I went straight home, ate, and lay on my bed. Out of boredom, I decided to scroll through the movies on my device until I saw _The Forge_. I was happy and didn't think twice. I pressed play. It is not the first time I have watched it, but I never get tired of it. Then it got to a point in the middle of the movie and I told myself, I must share this real conversation. It was a conversation between Joshua Moore, the president of a company, and Isaiah, a 19-year-old boy. Isaiah was told to get a job because he refused to listen to his single mother who raised and nurtured him. He left in search of a job and came across a company named Moore Fitness. He went in to make enquiries, and the HR put him through the process of filling a form. In the middle of filling the form, an old man, tall and dark in complexion, came in and greeted Isaiah. He did not answer. The man greeted again. You know how young guys of these days behave — out of frustration, he lashed out at the older man, tore the job application form, and said he was no longer interested in the job. Fortunately, the man was the president of the company, Joshua Moore. He calmly slowed Isaiah down, stretched his hand for a handshake, and asked for his name. He responded with a smile, "I am Isaiah." The president then asked if he could take him for lunch, and he agreed. They ordered food and started conversing, and Isaiah was about to experience a question that would shift his life. Joshua Moore asked Isaiah, "Where do you see yourself in the next five years, and what kind of man do you want people to think you are when they see you coming?" Those two questions changed everything. Isaiah could not answer. Joshua Moore then gave him his business card and told him to reach out when he found answers to the questions. They both departed. On getting home, as usual, Isaiah began his video games. He heard his mum lamenting about his attitude and laziness, and this made Isaiah recall those questions from his earlier conversation with Joshua Moore. For the first time, Isaiah thought about his future. The next day, he reached out to the company. The HR informed the president that someone was looking for him. On getting there, it was Isaiah. They exchanged greetings and he gave answers to the questions. Isaiah said, "I want to be a good man, and a man who can get things done" — which means a capable man. The job was offered to him. The president took him around the company, introduced him to the workers, and he started the job the next day. On getting home, he broke the news to his mum, and she was so happy and excited. Then Isaiah played games overnight and fell into a deep sleep, forgetting he had to get to work. He got to work late that day and felt so embarrassed. The president called him and gave him some life lessons. The next day, Isaiah was the first person to come to work early. Fortunately, the president arrived a minute after him. They both shared breakfast, and this very interesting conversation began. Joshua Moore: "So guess what... Eventually I learnt a lesson. I was 24 trying to figure out life by myself. You know, when you fall on your face you finally realize it is better to learn from the mistakes of other people before you continually make your own. I used to get into arguments all the time, behaving like a big man, standing my ground. Then my mother said something to me — you need to be more of a fountain than a drain. And you need to start giving more than you are taking." "The more I thought about it, I was using people to reach my own goals without loving them at all. And that's the thought I have for you today. Adopt that mentality: be a fountain, not a drain." Check out the scripture: Galatians 5 says, "For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself." I know some of you will be asking, what do I mean by sinful nature? Well, the Bible tells us that we as individuals have a sinful nature which includes selfishness, pride, greed, and bitterness. Yet God still loves us. So He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to pay the debt that we owed for sin. Then He raised Jesus from the dead, so that we could be in a right relationship with Him, if we put our faith in Jesus. He is our way to freedom. When we follow Jesus and devote ourselves to Him, He will bear fruit through us that gives God glory. And the fruit He bears are: Love,Joy,Peace,Patience,Kindness,Goodness,Faithfulness,Gentleness,Self-control. That is all He wants us to do — the kind of men and women He wants everyone to be. Thanks for reading, and I am glad you will be blessed through this. Happy Sunday. @FP

Other insights from Fp

Contributor Points

Points-to-Coupons

Referral Earning