Eric Liddell
Eric Liddell (1902-1945),
Missionary to China, who Ran the Olympic Race of Faith.
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As the race began it was obvious that Eric Liddell was overmatched.
Now the crowd in the Olympian Stadium hushed as this runner
from Scotland refused to be passed. As Eric crossed the
finish line, the crowd exploded into applause heard all
over Paris. Eric Liddell had done the impossible. He had
set a new world record! Eric's refusal earlier in the week
to run on Sunday in the Olympic 100-meter race had stunned
the world. Now his incredible victory in the 400-meter race
further strengthened his belief in God's promise," He who
honors me, I will honor." Years later, Eric Liddell would
be tested far beyond mere physical ability as a missionary
to China. His character, perseverance, and endurance are
a challenging example for all who would obey the call to
bring the gospel to the nations. Eric Henry Liddell was
born on the 16th of January 1902 in Tientsin, North China.
He was the second son of the Rev & Mrs. James Dunlop Liddell
who were missionaries with the London Mission Society to
China. As a young laddy Eric, with his older brother Rob,
were left at a boarding school while their parents and sister
Jenny returned to China. There is where he basically spent
his youth. After that Eric In 1920, Eric joined his brother
Rob at Edinburgh University to read for a BSc in Pure Science.
He graduated after the Paris Olympiad in 1924. Athletics
and rugby had always played a large part in Eric's University
life. He loved to run and play rugby. He ran in the 100
yards and the 220 yards for Edinburgh University and later
for Scotland. He played rugby for Edinburgh University and
in 1922 played in seven Scottish Internationals with A.
L. Gracie. But since he was a busy man he did not having
enough time to play both sports so he chose running. He
chose running over rugby aiming for the 100 meters in the
Paris Olympics. But when he got to Paris, and the Olympics,
his 100 meter race was going to be run on a Sunday. Eric
refused to run on Sunday since it was the Sabbath. So he
disqualified himself from the finals, and put Britain's
hope of a medal in jeopardy as well. In Britain people were
raving mad and very disappointed in him because he was the
favorite to win the 100 meters race and he wasn't going
to run it. Instead Eric was going to run the 400-meter race,
a race he wasn't even prepared for or had even trained for.
He was criticized and mocked by people in the streets, shops,
and diners. So with arms thrashing, head bobbing and tilted,
legs dancing, Eric ran to victory, five meters ahead of
the silver medalist. "The Flying Scotsman" had a gold metal
and a world record, 47.6 seconds. Most important of all,
Eric Liddell had kept his commitment to his convictions
of faith. After the Olympics and his graduation he returned
to North China where he served as a missionary from 1925
to 1943. Upon landing in China, on his first furlough, he
began to preach in the church services and there realized
that his Chinese was almost forgotten. Therefore he sat
down and began his studies earnestly. After that he went
back home for a while. Then he came back to China in full
force and began his missionary work harder than before.
But as he worked he got struck with illness and got very
sick. The doctors told him to settle down and take a break
put he insisted on working. In the end his illness caught
up with him and killed him in 1945. Eric Liddell ran, spoke,
and lived with great faithfulness and solid commitment to
Christ. The movie, Chariots Of Fire, chronicled his faith,
influencing yet another generation for Jesus Christ. You
do not have to be famous or skilled to make a difference
for Christ. God asks only that you serve Him faithfully
and wholeheartedly in whatever you do. God has "appointed
you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit
should remain" (John 15:16). Honor God in all you do, and
He will honor your obedience with a life that counts for
eternity. "Complete surrender" to Christ is total victory.
