Believe Out Loud

Let curiosity blossom into faith

I have been consuming a lot of World War II content recently, including the movie Hacksaw Ridge starring Andrew Garfield.

The film follows the true story of Desmond Dawes, a Seventh-day Adventist who enlisted shortly after Pearl Harbor, with the sole intention of being a combat medic. We see Dawes go through basic training, where he is ridiculed and beaten because he refuses to touch a gun and insists that he won’t be participating in any violence.

He tells his wife, “While people are out there taking life, I will be out there saving it.”

Dawes’ unit is sent to secure the Maeda Escarpment or Hacksaw Ridge, as it is believed to be the key to securing Okinawa. After a series of bloody attacks and counterattacks between the American and Japanese armies, we see the Americans fall back and climb down the massive cliff. But Dawes remains on the ridge, as he hears the cries of many injured soldiers. With limited medical supplies, and the constant threat of enemy fire, he moves about the charred ground, tending to soldiers before belaying them down the side of the ridge.

Throughout the night, we see Dawes continually praying, “One more Lord, let me get one more” as he searches the battlefield for the wounded.

In the end, he saves a total of 75 soldiers.

A few days later, his unit is asked to retake the ridge, but the soldiers refuse to go back up without Dawes. Captain Glover, portrayed by Sam Worthington, says, “Most of these men don't believe the same way you do, but they believe so much in how much you believe.”

Isn’t that powerful?

I think sometimes we get too caught up in wanting to say or do the exact right thing. Sometimes when it comes to sharing our faith, it can feel awkward and scary. Sometimes it can be unwanted and ignored. Sometimes we can find the words, sometimes we can’t. And sometimes we can say everything perfect, do everything seemingly perfect, and it won’t penetrate a person’s doubt or nonbelief.

Which is why sometimes, all it takes is believing. And not only believing but believing out loud. Trusting God and letting people know you trust God. Praising God on the mountains and praising God in the valleys—in the sunshine and in the storms.

Sometimes all it takes to inspire faith in someone else is to simply live out your faith in your own life.

I know I’ve found deeper faith by admiring it in others. I’ve wondered how people keep their faith in times of uncertainty and grief, and that curiosity has steered me down roads that strengthened my own faith and encouraged me to turn towards God rather than away from him in times of trouble.

So while we are called to share our faith with others, don’t discredit the value of simply living out your faith in front of others. By believing out loud and stirring up that curiosity in those around you.

Encourage people to believe in how much you believe, and let that encouragement blossom into faith.

And maybe borrow Desmond Dawes’ prayer in the context of your own life.

“Lord, let me impact one person today. Let me be a positive light for just one person.”

And then the next day.

“Lord, let me impact one more.”