Tuck Everlasting Lessons

There’s something magical about the film Tuck Everlasting… so much so that I try to watch it every year on the first day of summer. It’s one of my traditions. Even though the Disney version is quite different from the original novel by Natalie Babbitt {which I’ve also read}, the theme is still the same: immortality.


For those of you who don’t know the story, it’s about the Tuck family who unknowingly stumble upon what could only be tagged a ‘fountain of youth’ & take a drink. Ever since they all wet their whistles at the peculiar spring they haven’t changed one bit in appearance, & mortal calamities {like falling several feet & snake venom} seem to leave them unscathed.


Years upon years pass, & the ageless Tucks live on, keeping their secret hidden from a world that’s ever changing. That’s the back story. Then, all of a sudden, a girl named Winnie stumbles onto the scene & meets Jesse Tuck {a 104 year old trapped in a 17 year old’s body (which is sort of creepy when you give it much thought)}, but I guess love must really know no age, especially when appearances declare otherwise. Anywho, Jesse helps Winnie come out of her “tight-pruned world” {I love that description from the movie}.

I don’t want to give it all away - & I sincerely hope you check out both the book & the motion picture {as of course I do, it’s my beloved summer tradition, after all}. In the end, the family’s secret threatens to surface & Winnie must decide whether she’ll drink the magical spring water or not & wait for Jesse’s promise to return for her. He also promises that he’ll love her until the day he dies. So dreamy! =) But, the important part is, will she take the sip that will cause her to never age or… die? There’s real life lessons in this pertinent to all. Take a look…





As Christians we have the promise of sweet everlasting life in heaven.  The everlasting life the Tucks have in a world broken by sin is anything but sweet.  Let's look at what it says in 1 Corinthians 15:54-58:


"When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, & the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.'  Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?  The sting of death is sin, & the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."


The first part of the passage describes that when a person becomes a Christian, death is deleted for that person, because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross which vanquished death for all time, & that person's obedience & acceptance of Christ's free gift.  Certainly a mortal death will be had by all, but it is in fact, what must be gone through to get to heaven - not an end-all, but the gate into eternity.  It is not to be feared if you belong to the Lord.  Instead, just as Mr. Tuck said & the latter verses uphold, fear life not lived.  "Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."  Disney got it straight from the gospel! =)   Live each day for Christ & give Him your all... it's the only way to give up fear & truly live.

Love & Everlasting Life in Christ,

-Bess-