There is a moment in the movie Hacksaw Ridge that is very powerful. As the bullets are flying and men are screaming, the main character, Desmond Doss, a medic, runs back into the battlefield with no weapon in his hands. He prays under his breath, “Lord, let me get one more.” He ends up saving seventy-five wounded soldiers during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II, all without carrying a weapon. Seventy-five times he ran back into danger, risking his life to save others. The most amazing part? It’s a true story.
Behind every powerful scene like that, there is a director, someone who sees the whole picture and knows exactly how every moment fits together to tell a meaningful story. In Hacksaw Ridge, Mel Gibson was the director who created a film that captures the courage, sacrifice, and faith of Desmond Doss. But in real life, God is the ultimate Director who is writing the script of our own lives behind the scenes.
For example, take the story of Paul. In Acts chapter 26, he is standing on trial before King Agrippa because of his bold preaching about Jesus and the resurrection. Jewish leaders accused him of blasphemy, and they wanted him executed. But instead of defending himself with legal arguments, Paul shares his testimony with the king.
Paul says, “About noon, King Agrippa, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions. I heard a voice saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’
Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
The Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus… I am sending you to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, so they may receive forgiveness of sins and be sanctified by faith in me.’”
(Acts 26:13–18, condensed)
That moment on the road to Damascus was Paul’s turning point. It was when the Director stepped in to rewrite his story. Before that, his name was Saul, and he was actually a persecutor of Christians. But after that encounter, Paul went on to be one of the most well-known and influential gospel preachers in history. He even wrote two-thirds of the New Testament.
Today, think about your testimony and how Jesus has changed your life. I know for me, I originally wanted to be a sports broadcaster in college. However, everything changed when I started leading a Bible study at HEB named “HEBlessings.” It was then that I realized there was nothing more fulfilling than leading people into a relationship with Christ.
Just like how Desmond Doss prayed, “Lord, let me get one more,” I felt a similar burden to share my faith and make an impact for Christ. That is why I decided to pursue ministry. The journey hasn’t been easy, and I’m not exactly where I want to be yet, but I’ve learned that the Director knows best. He can take our story and use it in ways we could never imagine. But we have to have the courage and boldness to stand up and share it with those around us.
The Bigger Picture: Never underestimate the power of your testimony, because God can use it to change eternity.
The Bigger Picture 