Hacksaw Ridge

This is a powerful and inspiring movie about non-compromise and facing the doubt thoughts that arise in the mind in the most challenging of circumstances. Based on events during World War II, Private Desmond Doss has signed up for the military but has strong religious views about not harming anyone.

 

Doss is initially tested to the limit by practically everyone he encounters in the U.S. military. The officers are determined to make life so difficult for Doss that he will quit on his own. This is very symbolic of our journey through the darkness to the light. What is it that we stand for? And how willing are we to not compromise our goal under any circumstance?

 

Doss' mission turns out to be on one of the most tragic and harrowing battlefields of the war. It truly appears to be a mission impossible. It is within this seeming backdrop that Doss' faith and willingness to follow is put to the test. As bullets and killing rage around him, Doss quietly and with certainty drags one wounded soldier after another from the battlefield, seemingly invisible to the enemy's sight and impervious to their bullets.

 

There is a mission in the world that God would have each of us fulfill. And we are the only ones to fulfill it. Everything Doss learned up to the point of being on the battlefield was to prepare him for this one mission. As shouts of negativity in the military turned into shrieks of death on the battlefield, Doss responded in the same way. What would you have me do father? Where would you have me go? What would you have me say, and to whom? 

 

There were so many bodies and bullets on the battlefield that day that Doss had to stay completely focused on following Spirit's guidance and his mission, and nothing else. If Doss' eyes would suddenly become diverted on seeming dangers or hopelessness of the situation, he and the brothers he was assigned to help would have all perished. By staying in constant communication with the Spirit, thoughts of impossibility in the completing the mission or of any fatigue from dragging one man after another from the battlefield never entered Doss' mind. 

 

With so many distractions and choices in the world, the same focus and determination is required by all miracle workers. Once we say yes to God's plan for our salvation and for the world, nothing is impossible. Thankfully, we don't get to decide where and to whom the miracles should be bestowed. It's up to Him to handle the details. And in that space, thoughts of guilt and personal responsibility get washed away as we know that we are merely carrying out His plan for salvation of the world. And only His plan will work.

 

Though there are some graphic scenes of bloodshed in this movie, it is tremendously heartwarming to see how one by one all the witnesses turn in Doss's life as he becomes completely focused on his mission here. Doss goes from being completely despised and thought of as a coward, to being held in the highest honor and regard by even those who once looked like his staunchest opponents, detractors and enemies. 

 

Ultimately this is not a story of war but a story of courage and willingness to face the obstacles in the mind, and with faith see each of them yield to the love beyond.

 

"When the peace in you has been extended to encompass everyone, the Holy Spirit's function here will be accomplished." T-19.IV.3:6