Devotional

A devotional reflecting on the life and example set by Eric Liddell, by Marty Woods

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

I can recall at the age of 24 first watching Chariots of Fire. I sat in the theatre stunned, shocked. I can’t recall being moved by a movie like that. I devoured all I could read about Eric Liddell. I wanted to be like him - both then and now.

100 years later from his participation in the Paris Games, the Olympics returns to Paris. As I write this, I’m in Paris. It’s Thursday the 11^th of July – the very day Eric Liddell, 100 years ago, won the Gold Medal for the 400 metres final.

It was the race he entered when he knew he couldn’t run the 100 metres as the heats were on a Sunday. He said of running the 400 metres, ‘I run the first 200m as hard as I could, then, for the second 200m, with God’s help, I run harder.’

One journalist described Eric during that race as ‘having been propelled by some divine power.’

Eric returned to Scotland as a hero, huge crowds turned up to welcome him home and teenage fan-clubs were formed in his honour.

But the call of God on his life proved stronger than any celebrity sporting career. He turned his back on this adulation to become a missionary in China. When he began the long trip to China, hundreds of well-wishers turned up to farewell him. His was a life of obedience. He said, obedience to God’s will is the secret of spiritual knowledge and insight. For him obedience wascostly. 

By 1941, the British government exhorted its citizens to leave China because the situation was growing increasingly dangerous and unpredictable.

Eric said farewell to his wife and children and they returned to Canada. He remained obedient to his calling to minister to the Chinese in China. He became a father to many despite not being able to be there to father his own children.

His friend in the Concentration Camp described Eric – ‘It is rare indeed that a person has the good fortune to meet a saint but he came as close to it as anyone I have ever known.’

No one seemed to have had a bad word about him. He gave himself to the people he worked alongside.

Two months before the liberation of the camp he died from a brain tumour. As he breathed his last, he whispered, ‘It’s complete surrender.’ 

Chariots of Fire concludes with seven words, When Eric died all of Scotland mourned. People had seen and experienced greatness.

At Scots Church in Paris on the 6^thof July 2024, a hundred years to the day, commemorating the race Liddell never ran, a plaque was unveiled that included these words, A legend. A legacy. An inspiration. His legacy and inspiration were his choice of principle over personal gain, choosing Sundays over the spotlight. He lived his life as a man for others. Eric’s life mentors me from the grave. I hear him cheering me on alongside those great cloud of witnesses.

A hundred years later a single choice Eric made is talked about by millions, inspiring hundreds of thousands of believers around the globe. Races are won or lost on the final stretch. Eric was faithful to the end. I want that. 

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 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 find me.’ If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race.’ Eric Liddell