Quiet Strength

I’ve been reading Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday lately, and came across an interesting name:

August Landmesser.

I’d heard the name before, but couldn’t place it. So I decided to put the book down and dig a little deeper.

What I found was a fascinating story.

Several years ago, there was a photo that started circulating of a single man in a large group refusing to do the Nazi salute.

The man in the photo was identified as German citizen August Landmesser upon its publication in 1991 by his daughter, Irene Eckler. The photo was likely taken on June 13th, 1936 to celebrate the launch of the Horst Wessel while August was working at the Blohm + Voss shipyard.

(Fun Fact: The Horst Wessel was captured during the war and still serves in the U.S. Coast Guard as the Eagle.)

But what’s really interesting to me is the motivation behind this act of defiance. It’s easy to be motivated when we see someone do something courageous, but I want to know why.

Which is where things get interesting.

In 1930, Germany’s economy was in shambles. So believing it might help him get a job, August Landmesser became a card carrying member of the Nazi party.

But then in 1934, he fell in love with Irma Becker, a Jewish woman. Now things were complicated. And our hero is left to reconcile how he can possibly support a party that has outlawed a relationship with the woman he loves.

He must decide what is really important to him. And based on the photo, we can see what he chose.

As I was reflecting on this story, it occurred to me that love is the most powerfully motivating force on the planet. Love will inspire you to do things you never thought you’d be able (or willing) to do.

It also reminded me of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from Daniel chapter 3. It’s a famous story you’ve probably heard 100 times, but having just finished researching August Landmesser I saw it in a new light.

Personally, I don’t think these three Hebrews were trying to stick it to the king who told them to bow before the golden statue. I don’t think they were trying to make a point or get their voices heard.

I believe they reacted the way they did because, like August Landmesser, they were motivated by love. In fact, in verse 16 they respond to the king’s accusations by saying, “we don’t need to defend ourselves against you.”

In other words, what you do to us doesn’t matter. We believe in something bigger.

Love compelled them (just like August Landmesser) to quietly do what’s right, not what’s easy.

Love is quiet strength. Strength to endure. Strength to persevere in the face of hardship. Strength that is forged by a desire that is greater than self.

Which begs the question: what do you love? What are you willing to fight to protect? Where are you willing to draw the line?

Until next time – keep going, and keep growing!

— Mike Schmitz