We live in confusing, sometimes-peaceful, sometimes-turbulent times. We mean to live as law-abiding, patriotic citizens, but what do we do when culture and conscience collide? Often, I find my best answers in the pages and heroes of history.
The illicit actions of historical heroes and heroines ring brave and true in hindsight, but at the time, their daring deeds provoked cries of “Treason!” “Lawbreaker!” and “Revolutionary!”
Had their courageous but unpopular—sometimes illegal—activities been discovered before they were willing for them to be known, these headlines might have been slapped across the news sources of their time:
Jewish Midwives Violate Pharaoh’s Decree by Delivering Jewish Boys Alive (Exodus 1:16-22)
City Harlot Betrays Country to Aid Foreign Spies (Joshua 2:1-24)
Foreign Magi Ignore King’s Command and Disappear into the Night (Matthew 2:12)
Samaritan Violates Jewish Law to Rescue Roadside Victim (Matthew 10:25-37)
Escaped Slave Leads Hundreds to Freedom (Harriet Tubman biography)
Thoreau Jailed for Nonpayment of Taxes (Civil disobedience in opposition to slavery and the Mexican War)
Woman Smuggles Children out of Warsaw Ghetto (Irena Sendler and her network rescued 2,500 Jewish children from a Nazi death sentence.)
Owners of Warsaw Zoo Hide Jews Slated for Relocation (Jan and Antonina Żabiński of Warsaw, Poland, saved lives of many Jews by hiding them in their zoo.)
Pastor, Complicit in Foiled Assassination Attempt of Führer, Arrested (Dietrich Bonhoeffer worked to throw a “spoke in the wheel” of Hitler’s Nazi regime.)
Nonviolent Protest March Turns Violent (Martin Luther King Jr. marches for workers’ rights in Memphis, TN)
Hunger Strike Continues in Protest of British Rule (Mahatma Gandhi, India)
This is the stuff that makes history and headlines—unpopular courage, acts that violate popular culture and sometimes law, in order to answer to a higher call of conscience—and for Christians, to answer to a God of mercy, justice, and love.
We are told to submit to authority, to obey the laws of our land (Rom. 13:1-2). But what if those laws violate conscience or divine law—the Word of God that we hold dear?
Those are questions that characters in The Medallion—both Jewish and Gentile—pose. Jewish people determined to save their families and friends and strangers. Many Polish Gentiles did the same, even though helping or hiding Jews was illegal at the time—even though it could get you shot.
When rescuers were asked why they helped, responses varied, but the most common answer I’ve encountered through personal interviews and historical records is “because it was the right thing to do,” or “because that is what Jesus would have done” or “because I could not live with myself if I hadn’t helped. What kind of person would that have made me?”
Those are all answers I understand, answers I might have given, answers that speak to my sense of justice, my love and compassion, as well as my fear of guilt.
But when we’re in the midst of a question that might lead us to cross societal or even legal boundaries, we may need more than the voices in our heads. There is a text in Isaiah that tells me the kind of God we honor and serve and what He wants from us. I take these words to heart:
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” (Isaiah 58:6-7, NIV).
Words and phrases pop out at me: “loose the chains of injustice . . . set the oppressed free . . . break every yoke . . . share your food with the hungry . . . provide the poor wanderer with shelter . . . clothe the naked . . . don’t turn away from your own flesh and blood . . .”
There is enough admonition in that extended passage to keep me busy for the rest of my life through legal means and mostly politically acceptable behaviors. But in some countries—and at times even in ours—we, like the characters in The Medallion, may be faced with the question: Do we accept and adhere to the law of the land in violation of these precepts, or do we follow them in acts of unpopular courage even if those acts ring “politically incorrect”? What if they are illegal? How do we know when God is urging us to get involved?
Irena Sendler, the real-life young Polish Gentile social worker featured in my book, lived by her late father’s philosophy: “You see a man drowning, you must try to save him even if you cannot swim.”
Although it was illegal and she faced imprisonment and death if caught, Irena developed (through Żegota, the underground Polish Council to Aid Jews) a network that rescued and hid 2,500 Jewish children from certain death at the hands of the Nazis until the end of the war. Generations upon generations owe their continued existence to the brave souls in that network and to the call they answered.
We may never be asked to do anything so dangerous or even so clear-cut in its integrity and immediate need as those Polish men and women. Does that mean we do less—or nothing? Does that mean we turn our backs on the oppressed or the hungry, the naked, that we don’t provide the poor wanderer with shelter? Exactly what does it mean in our world, our country, our hometown today? What am I willing to withstand and to sacrifice to live obediently to the calling I hear?
Irena Sendler said, “Heroes do extraordinary things. What I did was not an extraordinary thing. It was normal.”
What is “normal” for us when it comes to helping those in need?
Thank you, Cathy – your words are always timely, insightful, and powerful.
With thanks to Tyndale House, we have a copy of Cathy’s stunning novel, The Medallion, to give away. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
For fans of bestselling World War II fiction like Sarah’s Key and The Nightingale comes an illuminating tale of courage, sacrifice, and survival, about two couples whose lives are ravaged by Hitler’s mad war yet eventually redeemed through the fate of one little girl.
Seemingly overnight, the German blitzkrieg of Warsaw in 1939 turns its streets to a war zone and shatters the life of each citizen—Polish, Jewish, or otherwise. Sophie Kumiega, a British bride working in the city’s library, awaits news of her husband, Janek, recently deployed with the Polish Air Force. Though Sophie is determined that she and the baby in her womb will stay safe, the days ahead will draw her into the plight of those around her, compelling her to help, whatever the danger.
Rosa and Itzhak Dunovich never imagined they would welcome their longed-for first child in the Jewish ghetto, or that they would let anything tear their family apart. But as daily atrocities intensify, Rosa soon faces a terrifying reality: to save their daughter’s life, she must send her into hiding. Her only hope of finding her after the war—if any of them survive—is a medallion she cuts in half and places around her neck.
Inspired by true events of Poland’s darkest days and brightest heroes, The Medallion paints a stunning portrait of war and its aftermath, daring us to believe that when all seems lost, God can make a way forward.
Three-time Christy and two-time Carol and INSPY Award–winning and bestselling author Cathy Gohlke writes novels steeped with inspirational lessons, speaking of world and life events through the lens of history. She champions the battle against oppression, celebrating the freedom found only in Christ. Cathy has worked as a school librarian, drama director, and director of children’s and education ministries. When not traveling to historic sites for research, she, her husband, and their dog, Reilly, divide their time between northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore, enjoying time with their grown children and grandchildren. Visit her website at www.cathygohlke.com and find her on Facebook at CathyGohlkeBooks.
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June 4, 2019 at 11:21 pm
This is so tragic. But it sounds like a wonderful story. The headline about Dietrich Bonhoeffer is the one that caught my eye.
June 5, 2019 at 3:49 am
Paula, I’m truly a fan of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as he was such a committed disciple of Jesus Christ. You might enjoy Amanda Barratt’s new book, “My Dearest Dietrich.” It’s a novel about the relationship between Dietrich and his intended. I just read it and it’s very well done. Most of the story comes straight from the pages of history, with the exception of a couple of fictional storylines.
Take care, and God bless!
June 5, 2019 at 3:25 am
Cathy writes wonderful stories! I haven’t read this one yet but I’m sure looking forward to it!!
June 5, 2019 at 3:54 am
I hope you enjoy The Medallion, Lori. Thank you for your words of encouragement!
June 5, 2019 at 3:46 am
Thank you, Rel, for sharing my post. It’s always a pleasure to visit you and your wonderful readers. God’s blessings for you!
June 7, 2019 at 4:05 pm
Cathy Gohlke » Thank YOU, Cathy – love featuring you and your stories – your words are beautiful, encouraging, and challenging! All the things I love in a story xo
June 5, 2019 at 4:26 am
The one that stands out the most to me is the people that hid people in their zoo. It probably was not the most comfortable place to be, but I have to admit that it was quite clever. Who would be looking for people in a zoo.
June 5, 2019 at 6:13 am
I so agree with that, Perrianne. The book is fascinating but the recent (last couple of years) film, The Zookeeper’s Wife, was also very well done. You’d find either fascinating.
June 5, 2019 at 9:53 am
I rarely find a movie I would watch, so I do appreciate the recommendation.
June 5, 2019 at 6:22 am
If you falter in a day of adversity,
your strength is small.
Rescue those being dragged off to death,
hold back those stumbling to slaughter.
If you say, “Look, we didn’t know this.”
Won’t He who weighs hearts perceive it?
Won’t He who guards your soul know it?
Won’t He repay each one according to his deeds? Proverbs 24:10-12, TLV
Cathy’s book, THE MEDALLION truly highlights those who faltered and those who courageously rescued those being dragged off to death. As she has with her other stories, Cathy truly captures the heart and soul of these characters with believable bravery and flaws. Another beautiful novel.
June 6, 2019 at 9:23 am
Thank you, Terri. You know my heart and I so appreciate that you see that in my novels. God’s blessings for you and your wonderful writing, my friend!
June 7, 2019 at 4:04 pm
Terri L Gillespie » Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Terri!
June 5, 2019 at 7:08 am
All the headlines move me to some extent but the one that does the most is the Jewish midwives letting the Hebrew babies live.
June 6, 2019 at 9:24 am
Pam, what courageous and faithful women they were! What wonderful examples to us!
June 5, 2019 at 7:25 am
Every headline made me pause and reminded me of many amazing historical events, for sure. I have always wondered if I would have been courageous enough to help my neighbors as Irena did. It was courageous and a true act of love for the parents of the children to believe the rumors of annihilation and entrust their Jewish children to Protestant homes!!!!!
June 6, 2019 at 9:27 am
Charlotte, I totally agree! I have so often wondered what I would do. I hope and pray I would be brave and not hold back in any way, but what do we know of ourselves until we are faced with situations? And, yes, the parents who gave up their children hoping to save them were courageous beyond imagination.
June 5, 2019 at 8:54 am
What a beautiful thought-provoking post! It’s always touching to me when I hear of people doing amazing, courageous things, especially when they don’t really think they’re being heroic. I need to do some research on Irena Sendler. She’s fascinating! Thanks, Cathy and Rel!
June 6, 2019 at 9:29 am
Thank you, Winnie. Irena has long inspired me. A tidbit worth knowing: she was just 4 feet 11 inches tall, and yet she stood against Nazis of every rank. What a brave woman! I, too, love reading and hearing of brave women and men. They inspire me and give me hope. God bless!
June 5, 2019 at 11:07 am
All of the headlines move me, but especially any that deal with hiding Jews during the Holocaust. Hiding them in a zoo was genius.
June 6, 2019 at 9:30 am
Yes, Lucy, it was genius! Who would have thought to look for people in a zoo? I love that creativity and courage!
June 5, 2019 at 12:48 pm
I can hardly wait to read this story. Two of my mom’s dearest friends were Auschwitz survivors and my great grandparents came from Prussia so Cathy’s stories always touch me in a deep place.
June 6, 2019 at 9:31 am
Rebecca, you have a rich connection to the heritage of these characters. I hope you enjoy The Medallion. God bless!
June 7, 2019 at 4:03 pm
Rebecca » I so agree with you on the way Cathy’s novels move readers – it’s certainly been my experience, too.
June 5, 2019 at 11:17 pm
I look forward to reading The Medallion and learning more about that period of time because I know a wonderful couple who lived through that, and the hardship they faced. They told my father and me of what they went through and it’s so sad that anyone had to go through that.
June 6, 2019 at 9:33 am
Eva, the circumstances those in Poland endured were horrific beyond imagination. The stories you heard and the stories I read confirm that. I hope you will enjoy The Medallion. It’s a hard read, but I pray it brings out things we all need to understand so that it does not repeat. God bless!
June 6, 2019 at 3:05 am
Irena Sendler sounds like a very courageous young woman. Sounds like a fascinating book. Looking forward to reading it.
June 6, 2019 at 9:33 am
I hope you enjoy it, Dianne Casey! Thank you for stopping by.
June 6, 2019 at 9:02 am
What an awe-inspiring and convicting post, Cathy! I think the act of courage that touched me the most was your concluding quote from Irena Sendler, “Heroes do extraordinary things. What I did was not an extraordinary thing. It was normal.” Wow! That just really touched me!
And your challenge…’What is “normal” for us when it comes to helping those in need?’ Again, I was left quiet and contemplative. May we all have Irena Sendler’s “normal” heart! If this post is any indication of what The Medallion is going to be like, it’s going to be heart-stopping and life-changing. I am so looking forward to reading this book! Thank you for the chance to win a copy!!
June 6, 2019 at 9:36 am
Thank you, Alison. Irena inspires me in so many ways, but especially because she never thought herself a hero–she truly believed that all she did was the normal order of the day. May we all live with such conviction! I hope you enjoy The Medallion. Thank you for stopping by, and God bless you!
June 6, 2019 at 11:08 pm
Some very interesting examples of courage throughout history. One story which really speaks as to the overall tragedy of the time period, which affected the world and millions of lives, is the story about the pastor involved in the plot against Hitler.
June 7, 2019 at 7:28 am
The headline about Jews being hidden in the zoo. I am drawn to stories of people doing simple acts of goodness in the face of extreme challenges. I am looking forward to reading The Medallion! ❤️
June 9, 2019 at 1:12 am
Andrea, I, too, am drawn to stories of people doing simple acts of goodness in the face of extreme challenges. They inspire and convict me. They also give me breathing space when it seems the world has gone mad. God bless!
June 9, 2019 at 1:07 pm
What a neat way to look at historic events as headlines!
Samaritan Violates Jewish Law to Rescue Roadside Victim (Matthew 10:25-37) caught my eye.