Eric Liddell
MISSIONARY GOLDFlying Scot Refuses To Run On Sunday
Most of us only think about Eric Liddell as ‘the man who wouldn’t run on Sunday’, about whom about the Oscar winning movie ‘Chariots of Fire’ was made. He was known as the ‘Flying Scotsman’
and was the first of his country to win Gold during the 1924 Paris Olympics. Committed Christian Eric Liddell refused to race on Sunday and was forced to withdraw from the 100 metres, his best event. Instead, Liddell raced in the 400 metres and little was expected of him. As Liddell went to the starting blocks for the race, an American slipped a piece of paper in his hand with a quotation from 1 Samuel 2:30, "Those who honour me I will honour." Liddell ran with that piece of paper in his hand and not only won the race but broke the existing world record with a time of 47.6 seconds.
Liddell achieved a greater prize than Olympic Gold later on in his life. After the Olympics, Liddell returned to China to work as a missionary. His family, originally from Scotland, worked in China during the time of the Boxer Rebellion. Liddell worked as a teacher at a school for Chinese boys at which he taught chemistry and organized sports. He married in 1934 and in 1936 China prepared for war as Communist and Nationalist tensions increased. Liddell was asked by the London Missionary Society to give up his work in Tientsin, and work as a village evangelist in Siao Chang. This was a dangerous area. Liddell could not take his wife and two daughters with him and he was forced to leave them behind when he went to work there. He was able to visit on occasion, but it was a long journey. Visits were not frequent.
EVANGELIST
The villages Liddell worked in suffered many hardships as a result of the warring between Communists and Nationalists. On one day, the Communists would pillage and destroy a village and then leave. Later, on another day, the Nationalists would come and do the same thing. His job in the area was evangelism and to encourage the Christians already there. The work was dangerous. Travelling in the countryside with Communist and Nationalist forces equally hostile to missionary work put Liddell in harm’s way on a regular basis.
The Japanese invaded China and in 1940 Liddell told his wife to take their children to Canada where she could live with her parents. He stayed behind in Tientsin to continue his work. Liddell was sent by the Japanese to an Internment Camp where 1800 other internees were confined. He was not dissuaded by his circumstances. He worked tirelessly in the camp, doing just about anything that needed to be done, whether it was bible study, teaching children who were trying to keep up their studies, or organizing sports. In a prisoner exchange bargain, his freedom was arranged by Winston Churchill, but he gave it up and let a pregnant woman leave instead.
I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE
In 1944, Liddell was not well. The doctors did not have the resources to diagnose the real nature of the problem. On February 21, 1945, he began coughing uncontrollably, and as friends came to his aid, he lay back and uttered the words “It is surrender”. An autopsy later revealed that Liddell had a large tumour on the left side of his brain. He died never having seen his third child, Maureen Liddell. This man was truly committed to the cause of Christ. He had the opportunity to leave China but he chose to stay.He poured his life into the work of reaching the lost in China. He worked for a prize far greater than gold, even Olympic gold.
Meg Crossman
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... The life of Eric Liddell is a testament to courage and commitment. It is a great encouragement to knowing who you are and keeping at the task you are given. I don't know if he said it, but the line in Chariots of Fire is one I've repeated again & again, "When I run, I feel His pleasure." Each of us is made by God to fulfill unique, even unusual purposes. As we stay true to who He has made us to be, unexpected Kingdom value will be the result. |
Valerie Lopez
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... Eric Liddell truly needs to come back again via Media to show many how life should be conducted...many of us have lost our way...just look at the harm a few have done to our societies...Eric has made many strong to continue the glory for God. |
Lusanda Gwayi
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... Wow, wow, wow! What a life! thank you for posting this up. Im so inspired to do more for Jesus!  |
nicki fuaj
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... this is really good to read........it was really insperasional and i wanna run like him sum dae!!!          |
Portiaaaa
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... heyyyy, OMB, wat ya doin???? his life is soo inspirational, i agree wit Nicki aswell ntcfobz lols.... he should be known every where!!! And, sum day Nicky, u might be able to run like him. keep dreaming  |
colette kurtz
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... Hey yall personally i think that his life shows inspirtation to everyone around him. specially to athletes who are christains who dont necessarily show the people around them that they are true christains |
Evelyn Lam
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... As a Chinese Christian, I am deeply moved by the commitment and passion of Eric. I wish I could have the opportunity to know something about his children since 1945. How his wife and children survive with Eric's golden crown from our Lord! |
Roger Harned
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... I saw the movie. I was inspired by the story. Some of the dialogue made me think about the depth of my own Christian beliefs. It prompted me to re-read Ezekiel. Some of the quotes uplifted me. [i.e. Harold: If I can't win, I won't run! Sylbil: If you don't run, you can't win. {I like Paul's encouragement about 'finishing the race.}] This brief biography of Eric Liddle, the rest of the story of his witness for Christ is truly inspiring. Think of China & other countries where the gospel of Jesus Christ is forbidden, even now. Pray for our bold missionaries. I thank God for your witness. |
