A Running Missionary

Eric Liddell's story was made into the award winning movie "Chariots of Fire" in 1981.

 

He was a contender in the 1924 Olympic games in Paris and a favored runner in the 100m. However, he declined to run in the heats for the 100m because they took place on Sunday. Liddell, a Christian, refused to participate in any competitions on Sunday because that was the day of worship and he sought to honor the Sabbath by keeping it holy.

 

“You will know as much of God, and only as much of God, as you are willing to put into practice.” (E. Liddell)

 

He went on to compete, on a weekday, in the 400m race in which he eventually won the Gold medal breaking a record that remained unbroken for 12 years.

 

“It has been a wonderful experience to compete in the Olympic Games and to bring home a gold medal. But since I have been a young lad, I have had my eyes on a different prize. You see, each one of us is in a greater race than any I have run in Paris, and this race ends when God gives out the medals.”   (E. Liddell)

 

 

“We are all missionaries. Wherever we go we either bring people nearer to Christ or we repel them from Christ.”  (E. Liddell)

 

In 1925, the year following the Gold medal win in Paris, Liddell goes to China as a missionary. And serves there until his death in 1945 at the age of only 43.

 

“Many of us are missing something in life because we are after the second best.” (E. Liddell)

 

“Purity does not mean crushing the instincts but having the instincts as servants and not the master of the spirit.” (E. Liddell)

 

“Christ for the world, for the world needs Christ!” (E. Liddell)

 

According to a missionary friend, Eric Liddell's last words were, "It's complete surrender", in reference to how he had given his life to God.

 

What's the point? Live your life for something that matters: for the glory of God. 

For more information about Eric Liddell check out the following links...

The Eric Liddell Centre Biography

Wikipedia's Page on Eric Liddell