Running the race
04/07/2008 12:49 am State News: July / August 2008 <auSPAMFILTER@omf.net>
Eric Liddell’s life inspired the film, “Chariots of Fire,” released in 1981, winning four academic awards. His life began in China, born in 1902 in Tientsin, the son of missionary parents. He died in 1945 in a Japanese internment camp at Weihsien a few months before the end of the Second World War. What made Eric Liddell so great?
He ran with purpose. Liddell saw running as a way of glorifying God. In the film he preached a sermon on "Life as a Race.": "I believe that God made me for a purpose (mission) …, but He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure." He won two gold medals at the 1924 Olympics. One year later, in 1925, he went to teach at the Anglo-Chinese College in Tientsin. Liddell was a humble man. Headlines trumpeted his triumphs but he kept his head and his heart for God.
He ran with convictions. Despite pressure from all sides, Liddell refused to run a 100m heat at the Olympics because his convictions prevented him from running on a Sunday. So he ran the 400metre instead and won. At church Liddell was seen quoting Isaiah 40:31: 'But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and be not weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.' The 100m race was rescheduled and once again he won. Liddell was prepared to sacrifice himself for his convictions, and God honoured him.
He ran with perseverance. In the film, Liddell was tripped up in a 400m event of an international athletic meeting. He recovered, made up a 20m deficit, and won. At the age of 21, Liddell decided to tell the Lord that he wanted to serve Him. Over the next 20 years, he ran with the power from within. His secret was the deepening of his relationship with his Lord through regular study of the Bible, reflection, prayer and Christian fellowship. In his Christian service, as in his running, Liddell proved to be a good and faithful servant.
As we look forward to the coming Summer Olympics in China, may Eric Liddell be a model to us. May the Lord help us to accept the baton and run for Him. To live as models to those around us.
“Let us run with perseverance the race He has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1
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