A few months ago a friend sent me an email with a link to the movie trailer for Fireproof. I was thrilled–a movie that would be watched by the general public and that glorifies true marriage.
Um, seriously?
Yes, seriously. I’d seen Facing the Giants and knew these people could put together a good, Christ-honoring movie that would be well-made, instead of the cheesiness that seems to accompany so many Christian films. We can watch them and like them, but they aren’t always as marketable to people who could care less about the movie’s message and are used to the cinematography of, you know, Lord of the Rings.
The friend who had sent me that email went and saw Fireproof with her husband the day after it opened and came to church the next day singing its praises. She told me, in not quite so many words, to Go See It Already and That’s An Order. She said we wouldn’t be disappointed. My parents and brother saw it a couple days later and told us we’d laugh and cry. And, essentially, to Go See It Already and That’s An Order.
So, to obey orders, last weekend John and I asked a good friend to watch the boys and we headed to the theater.
And let me tell you, we were not disappointed. We laughed, we cried. We held hands tightly when the tension in the theater was so thick it was almost hard to breathe.
There was much, much more depth to this movie than the trailer even mentioned. Real issues real couples face in their marriages–Christian or not. The pervading theme? True love. Real, true love. Unselfish. Loving even when you aren’t loved in return. Loving when the other person gives you absolutely no reason to show them love and you have not a single shred of the “feeling” of love left in you for the other person.
But the most amazing part to me is the fact that here we were, in a full theater with some who were Christians as well as couples who clearly had no idea what they were sitting down to watch–and the Gospel was clearly, effectively presented. Not watered down. Not mushy, feel-good. But cut and dried, all about Jesus and His real, true love for us. We gave Him no reason to love us, either, and yet He did. Enough to die for us. To save us. To make us a place with Him for eternity.
In a movie theater!
I was listening to the radio the other day and heard stories of people whose marriages have been spared through watching this movie. People who have been accepted Christ right there in the fold-down seat with popcorn in hand.
In a world where the very definition of marriage is debated and vows are thought to be temporary, I can’t hail loudly enough a movie that goes against the tide and shows that having a marriage that withstands the storms can be done–and that we need Jesus to do it. Because marriage is hard work. People face real, very difficult problems every day. Outside influences can only too easily come in and take over. Not one of us is exempt from it–if you think you are, write the thought down now and look back on your five or ten year anniversary to smile a wry little smile at yourself. Happily ever after doesn’t just happen. But Jesus is bigger than any of it. He can redeem anything. Anything.
And that? Makes me want to do what the crowd did when my friend saw Fireproof on opening weekend: the whole theater stood and cheered with tears in their eyes. Because a good, Christ-honoring marriage isn’t just worth fighting for. It’s something worth cheering for.
We had a pre-release screening of Fireproof at my job and I fell in love with it. It is such an amazing movie, and I highly recommend anyone who is married or who ever plans on getting married to go see this movie immediately. As in, Go See It Already and That’s An Order!!!
We had a pre-release screening of Fireproof at my job and I fell in love with it. It is such an amazing movie, and I highly recommend anyone who is married or who ever plans on getting married to go see this movie immediately. As in, Go See It Already and That’s An Order!!!
We had a pre-release screening of Fireproof at my job and I fell in love with it. It is such an amazing movie, and I highly recommend anyone who is married or who ever plans on getting married to go see this movie immediately. As in, Go See It Already and That’s An Order!!!
This movie is sooo good and God honoring
i want to see this movie so badly! but sadly it is not playing in my town.
I totally agree with you, Ashleigh!!! Fireproof is an amazing movie!! I think that it’s even better than Facing the Giants!! The Kendrick brothers did an amazing job, and I’ve read reviews of God using the movie to change people’s marriages and lives!
If you haven’t seen Fireproof yet, you need to go and see it!
yes!!!!!!!!!!
this movie is incredible…
Wow, Ashleigh! My sentiments exactly. I’m so excited about the potential for this movie to change lives. I had the same sense of awe in a Redeemer who could bring a theatre full of entertainment seekers to a fresh awareness of Himself.
I agree! This movie is AMAZING. I’ve been to their home church in Albany Ga, and they’re such a warm congregation
I really think Hollywood will take notice, since Fireproof is now the #2 top rated film of all time!
–Mia
Movies like that are very few and far between. Praise God that it got this far!