The Finish Line

Many things take our focus off of God.  Common modern idols are money, fame, or being first in something.  If those define the ideals of life, then there was one man who had it all.  But what if there is more to life than what man says is important?

In the 1924 Paris Olympics, Eric Liddell stunned the world of sports by refusing to submit to their expectations.  Already known as an accomplished runner, Eric dashed the hopes of many of his countrymen when he refused to run in the 200-meter race (his personal best) because the qualifying preliminary was held on a Sunday.  Some even called him a traitor.  What kind of athlete would forfeit an Olympic medal for his country because a meet was on a Sunday?  Despite the sour feelings of his supporters, Eric stayed firm in his conviction to remain true to God.  God rewarded his faithfulness and Eric won a gold medal in the 400 meter race, which was not one he was expected to win.  Not only did he win, but he set a new world record: 47.6 seconds.  He had stunned the sports world again - this time impressing them.

But Olympics was not what Eric lived for; winning races was not his life goal.  The son of missionaries, he left running to become a missionary to China for the last twenty years of his life.  While there he married another missionary kid, Florence Mackenzie, and they had three daughters.  Together, they labored to bring the Gospel to the hurting Chinese people.  Back home, however, many were questioning Eric's decisions.  Why would a famous Olympic runner give up his sport to labor in a foreign land?

In the early 1940s, while the Liddells were working in China, the Japanese invaded China.  Life was dangerous for everyone, and Eric sent his wife and daughters to his wife’s family in Canada for their safety.  Choosing to stay where God had called him, Eric stayed with the people of China.  He and many others were soon put in a Japanese internment camp.  As a prisoner, Eric busied himself with the needs of others by assisting the elderly, providing games and activities for the children, and helping teach chemistry.  Eric continued to faithfully serve God first and put the needs of others before his own.  While still a prisoner of war, Eric became sick.  Unfortunately, the camp had no means to treat his brain tumor, and he died just after he turned forty-three.  The world was still wondering.  Why would a promising young husband and father spend the end of his life in an internment camp away from his family?

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Eric Liddell was a good runner - that’s for sure.  Striving to follow God first and foremost, he was an example of what it means to prize what God prized and not what the world around him treasured.  What kind of athlete would throw away an Olympic gold medal because the first meet was held on Sunday?  One whose goal was knowing God, not winning gold.  Why would a world-renowned Olympian walk away from the sport he took by storm in order to work among a foreign people in a foreign land?  Because winning a race was not the purpose of Eric Liddell's life.  Why would a healthy, popular, smart, young husband and father live the last of his days as a POW away from home and family?  Because Eric Liddell followed God and God alone.  His heart was pure because God was on the throne of his heart.  Eric ran his race with endurance; pursuing a life that glorified God.  Let us also run toward the finish line, ignoring all else as we pursue God and God alone.