Lessons from Hacksaw Ridge

We went to see the movie Hacksaw Ridge this weekend.  I really wanted to watch it but then again I didn’t because of the nature of the content.  If you haven’t heard of the movie, it chronicles the story of Desmond Doss who was a conscientious objector and medic during the battle for Hacksaw Ridge (Japan) during World War II.  It was hard to watch.  War is always hard to watch.  But, it was one of the most striking depictions of the power of personal conviction that I have ever seen. 

Doss was compelled to enlist in the army during WW II because he knew that he had to do his part to defend his country and all that he held dear.  But, his personal convictions told him killing (in any context) was wrong, and his life experience told him that the only way to avoid killing was to refuse to hold a gun at all.  He joined the army to be a medic so that he could “save lives while everyone else was trying to take them.”

Doss was ridiculed and beaten by his fellow soldiers because of his refusal to hold a gun.  The army tried to get him dismissed because of his convictions.  But, he refused to compromise because he knew that he had to be true to God and to himself above everything else.

I can’t stop thinking about Doss’s story.  I can’t help but wonder how our society would be different if there were more men and women like Doss.  His story challenged me and encouraged me in so many ways.  Here are a few of my take aways:

• Doss was a man of strong conviction. 
• His convictions ran counter to what was happening in his country.  However, rather than protesting or condemning others who were fighting (and killing) in the war, he found a way to get involved and serve that allowed him to stay true to his convictions.
• He didn’t try to force others to his way of thinking.  He didn’t criticize or condemn them.  In fact, he served those whose actions violated his convictions.  He served them even when they had hurt him physically and emotionally.
• He lived out his convictions with integrity and courage.  And, because of that, he was able to save 75 men from dying on Hacksaw Ridge.  Because of that, his platoon came to respect him and honor him – not in spite of his convictions – but because of them.

I can’t help but wonder how I would have responded if I had been in Doss’s shoes.  Would I have run away?  Would I have caved under the weight of the ridicule and persecution?  Would I have gotten angry with those who didn’t believe what I believed?

Doss’s story is an extreme example, but we are faced with similar challenges every day.  All of us have convictions (whether we realize it or not!), and we are going to be faced with those who have different convictions.  We get to choose how we respond to those who oppose us – with courage and integrity and love OR with fear and hatred and anger.  I think we forget that it’s a CHOICE.  How we respond is a choice.  Love is a choice.  Hate is a choice. 

We would all do well to remember this wise counsel: 

"Consider everyone as equal, and don't think that you're better than anyone else... Don't pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good.  If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people.  Don't try to get revenge for yourselves, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath.  It is written, 'Revenge belongs to me; I will pay it back, says the Lord.  Instead, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink...' Don't be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good." -- Romans 12:16-21