The Fountain Effect

by Sierra Beatty

Have you ever been really excited about something and could not wait to tell people about it? Or maybe had those friends that tell you the same story over and over again because it was something they were proud of? Why can’t we be that way about spreading the word of God?

Often times when faced with the opportunity to tell someone about Him, we freeze up and think we aren’t qualified to answer their questions or that we will answer it incorrectly, and we end up turning away from the situation. This is something I struggle with. Especially with all the controversy about what the Bible teaches and what the world wants. The truth is that we have rivers of Living Water coursing through us and that is something to be shared! Our time here is short, high school only lasts four years, and college flies by. Our window is now! What legacy are you leaving behind?

As someone who has grown up in church, I have heard
people pray for God to pour into the pastor so he can pour into the people more than once. This is something I have come to call “the fountain effect” because a fountain has water pouring from one level to the next with each pool bigger than the last.

Read 2 Timothy 4:1-8
I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: ² Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
³ For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
⁵ But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
⁶ As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. ⁸ And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.


When we hear a message from a Pastor, God is pouring into him and the Pastor, in turn, pours into us. We should turn around and pour into other people so the message can spread like the water in a fountain and everyone can hear about Him. Don’t be a lake that gets filled with rain, yet is stagnant, or dried up because no one shared the water. I encourage you to share your water with your campus or workplace, so they too, can have Living Water.