Conscientious

“Please Lord, help me to get one more.”  
Army Medic Desmond T. Doss

Hollywood isn’t too kind to Christian ideology or characters who carry them.  The list of examples are too painful to list.  They are, however, very interested in making money.  While critics still line up to condemn anything within a whisper of Christian or conservative beliefs, the interests of the buying public is beginning to encourage the making of more of these films.

My wife and I recently saw the movie “Hacksaw Ridge” about the battle of Okinawa.  While it was likely the most violent film I have seen since the opening scenes of “Saving Private Ryan”, it was powerfully stirring and encouraging at the same time.  The fact that it was a true story backed by actual interviews with the film’s hero, army medic Desmond T. Doss, made the weight of the story that much greater.

Stunned by what we saw.  Everyone stayed in their seats even as the credits rolled.

First of all, it honored the very traditional Christian Science beliefs of Desmond.  Secondly, it not only showed that he would endure astounding opposition for his beliefs, but actually monetize those beliefs into life-changing practice for many others.  In particular, for the very people who opposed him and his beliefs.

What Desmond does on Hacksaw Ridge in the battle of
Okinawa is likely the most heroic single act in military history.  
It is almost impossible to believe.

To receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award given for bravery in battle, never having fired a weapon, is a once in a lifetime story.  To watch soldiers who hated him for his beliefs, celebrate and honor him, is the story of all time.  The redemptive perspective found in that story is woven into the fabric of every great story.

Redemption is our intellectual property.  It is the stuff of every great story because it is sourced to the one great story.  It is the foundation for our faith and ultimate deliverable for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  Even those that don’t hold to our faith and values, are still deeply connected and affected by that idea.

The most interesting thing about Desmond was not that he was a conscientious objector unwilling to use violence, but that he conscientiously lived out his calling to rescue and save lives in a way no else ever has.  Whether or not we agree with the stance that he took against something, we should, out of the redemption and restoration accomplished for us, be for something in a way that changes the lives of others.

His life and leadership permission’d and invited others to do the same.

Most of us are clear about what we are against.  
Let’s get clear on what we are for…and be all about it.

• What do you stand in opposition to?
• More importantly, what do you stand in support of?
• Would the way you live make that obvious to others?
• Go watch Desmond T. Doss’ story in “Hacksaw Ridge” and see what the Father stirs in you.