Lessons From Corporal Desmond Doss and Hacksaw Ridge

If you haven't seen Hacksaw Ridge yet, I [obviously] would encourage you to do so, immediately. This isn't your typical action movie, war movie, or even patriotic movie. Although it has been labeled as such, this movie isn't typical in any way. Corporal Desmond Doss and his experience on Hacksaw Ridge burst through any preconceived ideas or notions that the viewer possesses. Corporal Doss was an unlikely war hero candidate from the start. This was mainly due to his conviction that he should not hold/use a gun whatsoever in his service to his country. This conviction stemmed from experiences he had with his father from his childhood coupled with his Christian faith. He was wired to be brave in a unique way. Doss held fast to his convictions and oftentimes was penalized for doing so. He faced harassment and abuse due to his convictions. It wasn't until he saved 75 souls on Hacksaw Ride that he received the Medal of Honor due to his incredible service to his country and fellow soldiers.

Doss held many other accomplishments from his service to his country (I'd go watch the movie to find out more). These are what I call the "Doss Lessons":

1.)Doss proved thatour convictions make us who we are. At the end of the day, they are all we have left. "I don't know how I'm going to live with myself if I don't stay true to what I believe." (Doss)

2.) Doss gave us a shining example of what it looks like to remain steadfast in our convictions regardless of our circumstances, challenges, or the words of other people.

3.) Doss showed us how powerful and effective someone who truly desires to servecan actually be.

4.) Doss demonstrated how being true to our convictions liberates us from feeling the need to prove ourselves all the time. Doss wasn't trying to be something: he was being exactly who he was supposed to be.

5.) Doss is a tremendous example of what it really means to be a peacemaker: "With the world so set on tearing itself apart, it don't seem like such a bad thing to me to want to put a little bit of it back together." (Doss)

6.) Doss led others around him by his bravery and dedication to his country. He was willing to challenge what he felt was wrong but also remained one of the greatest patriots we've ever known.

So if you get some free time in the next week, go watch Hacksaw Ridge.