Olympians

Somewhere in time, this week, the Olympics are capturing the attention of the world.  I cheer for my country and check the medal count in the morning.  It reminds me of a former Olympian.  His name was Eric Liddell. He was born in China on January 16^th, 1902, the son of missionaries working with the London Mission Society.  When on furlough, they went home to Scotland.  Once he was old enough to attend college, he returned to Scotland, his home country.  He loved sports, mainly ruby and track and field events. He really didn’t have time to do both, so he focused on running and he was good at it.

In 1924 he qualified for the Olympics as a runner for Great Britain. He would be running the 100 and 200 meter races, but a problem arose.  The 100 meter race was run on Sunday.  He had a personal conviction that you didn’t work on Sunday. He felt Sunday was a day of rest as ordained by the Lord and he wanted to honor God in every area of his life.  This caused a bit of a stir.  Even in 1924, a person willing to take such a stand on faith was newsworthy.  He changed races and instead of the 100 meter, he ran the 400 meter.   

“God made me fast. And when I run I feel his pleasure.” Eric Liddell

Liddell made news for switching races and then for winning Gold.  He also made news for returning to China as a missionary.  That was always his plan.  He had other opportunities, but he knew what God called him to do.  He later married and had three daughters, but then World War II broke out.  Eric sent his wife and three daughters out of the country, but he stayed to minister to the people of China. He was captured by the Japanese in 1943 and held in a prison camp.  He died in the camp in 1945.  A few more months and he would have been liberated. 

2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race.  I have kept the faith. Now then 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.

Not many of us can be Olympians, but we all have a race to run, a fight to fight.  We each have opportunities to stand up for what we know to be true.  Sometimes we will fail, but when we succeed, we can change the world, or at least the part around us. 

“In the dust of defeat as well as the laurels of victory there is glory to be found if one has done his best.”  Eric Liddell

If you get the chance to check out the Olympics, please do.  Just keep in mind that you are here for a reason also. 

On a side note, Jamie Nieto is a current Olympian, this is his third Olympics.  He came in 6^th in the high jump. Why mention this young man here.  He is also a young man living his life to serve the Lord. He didn’t win gold or make the news, but he did appear in one of my favorite movies. I included the clip.  Enjoy

The Encounter Official Movie Trailer from christiancinema on GodTube.