Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:30-31(NIV)

Many readers may remember the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire. The opening scene with the athletes running on the beach was a classic moment made even better with the theme song playing. The movie was nominated for seven academy awards and won four, including best picture.

The movie was about two athletes – Scotland’s Eric Liddell, who was a Christian, and Great Britain’s Harold Abrahams, who was Jewish, and the 1924 Olympics.

Liddell was supposed to run the 100 meter dash in the Olympics, but since one of the heat races was to be run on Sunday, he refused to run due to his religious beliefs. Many people criticized him for his choice. Liddell switched to the 400 meter race.

It’s been reported that when Liddell went to the starting line to run the 400 meter race an American who was near the starting line gave him a note with part of the Bible verse of 1 Samuel 2:30 that says, “Those who honor me I will honor” written on it.

Liddell won the gold medal in the 400 meter race.

Abrahams also won the gold medal in the 100 meter dash.

Liddell’s parents were missionaries in China and that is where Liddell served as a missionary. He was taken captive and placed in the Weihsien Internment Camp in China in 1943. Liddell died in that camp in February 1945.

Eric Liddell was a great athlete who put God first in his life.

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