I love watching the old Turner Classic movies. They appeal to me for the mostly wholesome content that used to be. A couple of nights ago, I was scrolling through the channels and landed on the movie “Chariots of Fire”, the true story of the Scottish Olympic gold medal runner, Eric Liddell. I have seen it before; it’s a good one! The movie actually won four Academy awards, including Best Picture in 1981.
Liddell was born in 1902 to missionary parents living in China. He became known as the “Flying Scott” because he won the 400 meter race and the gold medal in the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. His Christian faith and testimony were recognized in the movie as he refused to run his best race, the 100 meters race, because it was scheduled for a Sunday, in which he believed to run then was against God’s commandment to keep the Sabbath holy. He refused to compromise.
I love the quotation by Eric Liddell in the movie, “God made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.” After researching this, however, I discovered that Eric was fast and he did run for God’s glory, but he actually did not say those words. Apparently, what Eric did say more than once was that “God made me for China”. China was always on Eric’s heart and he often shared Biblical and evangelistic messages, both as a friend and a preacher. After the Olympic Games, he made preparation to return to China, where he lived with his wife and three daughters until China became occupied by the Japanese during WW II. His family safely escaped to Canada but Liddell was forced into a concentration camp where he died shortly before the end of the war.
I have read that Liddell became a moral and spiritual leader even within the camp of unspeakable horrors. Sadly, he died suddenly and unexpectedly of a brain tumor in the Weixian Internment Camp on February 21, 1945. Liddell desperately wanted the Chinese to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and to believe in Him. Eric Liddell’s life’s desire was to know God more deeply and to share that belief with others. The movie, “Chariots of Fire” ended with the words “Eric Liddell, missionary, died in occupied China at the end of WW II. All of Scotland mourned”.
“I have no formula for winning the race. Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way. And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within. Jesus said, ‘Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. If with all your hearts, you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me.’ If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race.” ~ Eric Liddell
“Many of us are missing something in life because we are after the second best, I put before you what I have found to be the best – one who is worthy of all our devotion – Jesus Christ. He is the Saviour for the young and the old. Lord, here I am.” ~ Eric Liddell
“Victory over all the circumstances of life comes not by might, nor by power, but by a practical confidence in God and by allowing His Spirit to dwell in our hearts and control our actions and emotions. Learn in the days of ease and comfort, to think in terms of prayer that follows, so that when the days of hardship come you will be fully prepared and equipped to meet them.” ~ Eric Liddell
What message is here for us in this story of Eric Liddell? First of all, though Eric Liddell is remembered as an Olympian runner, I believe that he knew the “race of life” is the one of most importance. He held his Christian belief firmly and was willing to sacrifice the glory of the games, if necessary. He finished life’s race well – through great physical trial; I can’t imagine what he must have endured!
What parts of our lives give God “pleasure”? Are we known for living for the Lord with uncompromising conviction? Are we faithful even under great hardship? I want to say with Paul, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing”. (II Timothy 4:7) That will be my “gold medal”!