Have you ever watched a movie with the potential to rock you to your core and question everything there is about society? That's exactly what happened when I watched "The Courageous Living." A movie written and directed by Michael Cath. This is not just another film, it's a movie that comes with both a book and a play. It was such a wake-up call that has left an indelible mark in my perception about manhood and societal values.
There's this powerful scene in the movie that has stuck in my head. You see an army marching to battle, but the one that really gets your attention is the flag bearer, who runs so far ahead that the commandant is concerned. When he asked if they should bring back the flag, what the captain said was deep: "No, let the army catch up with the flag."
This scene hit me like a ton of bricks. In our world today, we really need more of those flag bearers-men not afraid to run way ahead, setting high standards for others to try and reach. But then I sat and thought it through, and something disquieting cropped up: such leaders are grossly inadequate in number within our societies.
You see, everywhere I look now, I notice what the movie so brilliantly portrays-a world overrun by boyish behavior rather than mature masculinity. It's like we're living in what I'd call a "Boys' War," where true manhood has been replaced by immaturity and irresponsibility.
The movie made me reflect on my own community: when women say, "Men are scarce," they are not talking about physical absence. They are talking about the scarcity of men who embody true courage and responsibility. I see it in the rising crime rates, the broken families, and the leadership vacuum in our homes, workplaces, and religious institutions.
What really hit me was its take on success, a notion pretty well countered from what I had: that the bigger the size of your office and digits in your account, the larger your success; instead, another metric was used- the impact one makes in family and community. This film truly made me reflect on where my priorities in life lie.
There's this powerful moment in the movie where it becomes clear that when men win, everyone wins. But the opposite is equally true-when men fail in their responsibilities, the ripple effects touch everyone. I have begun to see this played out in real life. Every time I hear about another family falling apart or another child going astray, I trace it back to this fundamental issue.
The greatest lesson I took away from the movie dealt with courage, not the kind that is needed to dive into a burning building, but the ordinary kind-to do what is right, even if it's unpopular; the courage to be present with your family; to say no to temptation; to choose responsibility over convenience.
Since watching "The Courageous Living," something has struck me. If anything, that movie's message had nothing to do with the actual need for bravado men-what it pertained to is guts to be different in the world that often rewards them with conformity and mediocrity.
The power of the movie does not lie in pointing out problems but rather in the hopes. The movie says there is hope, but the change has to start at an individual level. Each time I replay some scenes, I am reminded that transformation begins with personal conviction and the guts to act on it.
This is much more than entertainment. It has opened up a dialogue within my community about the state of being a man in this present world: it means calling fathers to be fathers, husbands to be faithful, and leaders to lead with integrity.
And here's what I think is its most powerful message: we don't need more successful men; we need more courageous men-men who realize their greatest accomplishment won't be found in a corner office but rather in the lives they touch and the legacy they leave.
As I ponder on "The Courageous Living," the movie, it comes out that it is something more than a film-it's a mirror to show us what we've lost and a map showing how to take it back. It calls each man to step forward to be that flag bearer the family and community desperately need.
The question is not if we need any change-that is understood. The question is, are we ready to become that change? Are we prepared to catch the flag? Since-as this film so powerfully depicts-the future of society will depend upon our answer.
This movie has challenged me to be better, do better, and, in turn, inspire others to do the same. It reminded me that real courage is not the absence of fear but the right thing to do in the face of our fears. And it's just that more of today.
If you haven't seen "The Courageous Living," I highly recommend that you do so. Not for entertainment, but for a personal transformation and change to society. Sometimes, it is through a movie that we realize what has always been missing, the courage to be the men our world is desperately crying out for.