Olympic Inspiration...

So, my last blog focused a wee bit on the subject of running, not least cos I'm doing the Stranraer half marathon on 2nd June (plugs just giving page - www.justgiving.com/philcordiner). But in that blog I also mentioned Eric Liddell. The man who became known as the "Flying Scot" who refused to run on a Sunday.


My daughter, then came home from school saying she had to do a project on an inspiring British athlete - who better then than Eric Liddell. Hence, my blog his week will be a wee lesson on the life of Eric Liddell.

Born to Scottish parents, he was the first of his country to win Gold during the 1924 Paris Olympics. Although China also regard him as the first to ever win a gold medal for China as he was indeed born there.

As a committed Christian Eric Liddell refused to race on Sunday and was forced to withdraw from the 100 metres, which was considered his best race. Instead, Liddell raced in the 400 metres. 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.

After the Olympics, Liddell decided to return to China to work as a missionary. Liddell worked as a teacher at a school for Chinese boys at which he taught chemistry and organised 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, so visits were not often.

It was tough working in these villages because of the war - 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 organising 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.

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. According to a fellow missionary, Liddell's last words were, "It's complete surrender", in reference to how he had given his life to his God. 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.
Here are some of his most famous quotes:

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

"God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure. ”

“We are all missionaries. Wherever we go we either bring people nearer to Christ or we repel them from Christ.”

What an inspiration!