Moving forward with my “Obscure Role Model” themed blog, this week’s lesser known character comes from the wildly popular Indiana Jones movie series.  In the third installment of this franchise, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, Indy and his father chase after the elusive Holy Grail.  For me, there was a particularly memorable scene toward the beginning of the story where Indy is confronted by a religious sect called the Brotherhood of the Cruciform Sword.  They can be identified by the large cross and Holy Grail combo tattooed on each one of their chests.  This secret society has apparently been around for hundreds of years, their one and only mission…to protect the Holy Grail.

This week’s Obscure Role Model just so happens to be the head of this fanatical movement.  And he goes by the name, Kazim.  No last name…so you know he’s cool.  Kind of like Cher or Madonna or Bono.  We are first introduced to Kazim while Indiana Jones is in Venice.  The two start out as bitter rivals and partake in an epic boat chase.  After the action subsides, Kazim and Indy talk briefly about finding the Grail and Kazim delivers one of my all-time favorite movie quotes (not up there with Caddyshack quotes, but still epic).

Kazim says to Indy, “Why do you seek the cup of Christ?  Is it for His glory, or for yours?”

I love that line so much!  It reminds me of a book written by one of my favorite authors, Simon Sinek, called “Start With Why.”  The book examines the why behind the what in our lives.  And almost every time, our why is much more important than our what.  We live in such a fast-paced, instant gratification world today that many of us act before we think.  But when we take a beat and reflect on our why as opposed to our what, we end up with either a whole new level of conviction that serves us well, or a completely different course of action which helps us avoid potential disaster.

Why do we do what we do?  Do we work hard simply for more money?  For more power?  For more influence?  Do we get involved in the community to help pad our resumes?  To enhance our reputations?  To hobnob?

Or do we work hard to provide a better life for those around us?  To reach a larger platform to share whatever God-given gift we have with others?  Or do we get involved in the community to empty our cup into others.  To support others without ever taking any credit?  Really resonate on what Kazim was asking.  Whatever we do, large or small…do we do it for our glory or for something greater than us.  Do we give our all so that we can look good or do we give everything we have so our family, our friends, our co-workers, our community, our country, and our world are better from it?

At the end of the movie, it turns out that Indy’s why for finding the Holy Grail was to save his father’s life, not for the fame and fortune that would be associated with finding the priceless relic.  And it was this same why that saved not only this father’s life, but also his own.  All this thanks to Kazim asking Indy to take a moment and reflect on his motives.

What drives you today?  Why do you do what you do?  Take time and reflect on these questions.  Personally, I’ve found that when our why is external and not internal, everyone benefits exponentially.