Hacksaw Ridge: Nonviolent Courage - Anabaptist (Joshua 1:9)

In the harrowing landscape of World War II, amidst the chaos of guns and explosions, there stood a man who chose a path that bewildered those around him: Desmond Doss. With the roar of battle raging like a tempest, he marched onto Hacksaw Ridge, not with weapons drawn, but with unwavering faith and an unyielding spirit. Unarmed, he entered that battlefield, a lone figure of courage against the backdrop of violence.

Imagine, if you will, the smoke and the cries of wounded soldiers filling the air. The ground trembles beneath heavy boots, yet here comes Desmond, slipping through the chaos like a beacon of light. With each step, he defied the very definition of courage ingrained in his fellow soldiers. Instead of returning fire, he knelt beside the fallen, a steadfast embodiment of hesed—that profound, unwavering love and mercy.

His faith in God echoed the words of Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” This assurance was not merely a promise of victory, but a profound truth that Jesus walks with us into the depths of our suffering. Desmond understood that true strength is found in vulnerability, that courage is often manifested not in might but in mercy.

Each time he pulled a soldier from the jaws of death, he was living a cruciform life—one shaped by the cross, vulnerable yet powerful. His actions were not just heroic; they were a reflection of Christ's own sacrificial love. In a world screaming for violence, Desmond Doss stands as a testament that true courage doesn’t fight fire with fire but dares to face the flames with love. So, I ask you: How can we embody that kind of courage today? How can we be strong in the Lord’s strength, serving and saving in His name?