“God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure” (Eric Liddell).

Having recently completed a series about the Sermon on the Mount, I am caught between that finished project and the question, “What’s next?” Instead of quickly throwing together a Bible study I might regret after publishing (or, even worse, that fails to edify those who take the time to read it), I was prepared to write a quick post featuring a quote by a famous Christian.

When I wrote such short-quote posts, I usually cite the great saints of church history. However, I came across a quote by one who does not have a feast day on the liturgical calendar or the title “St.” before his name: Eric Liddell. Whether canonized by a church or not, I want to pay him some credit. After all, he perhaps influenced my conversion to Christ more than any ancient hero of the faith.

It is also worthwhile to share something about him because the Summer Olympics just ended, and it was at the Paris Olympics of 1924 (100 years ago) that he made his mark on history.

His story is told (with some creative license) in the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire. Liddell was a devout Christian, from a family of missionaries, who knew he was called by God to be a missionary. However, he was also a gifted athlete, and some people (especially his sister) thought the two parts of his life conflicted. Could he be both an athlete and a man of God? Would the two come into conflict? Would sports distract Eric from his true calling? Eric’s response appears above: He knew God had called him, but he also realized that his speed was a divine gift. He felt God’s pleasure as He ran.

When I saw this movie in the theater, I was not following Jesus. My great passions were music, writing, and sports. I was a sportswriter for my high school newspaper and a local weekly. I was also an avid long-distance runner. While God had not given me speed, He had blessed me with endurance to keep a steady pace for 5, 10, 13.1, 15.5, or more miles. (I was training for a marathon—26.2 miles—when I suffered the first of several knee injuries that ended my career before my 18th birthday.)

“When I run, I feel His pleasure.” That quote resonated in my soul. I was not truly a Christian at that time, but I believed there was a God. I believed, as my Catholic upbringing taught me, that Jesus was somehow the Son of God. (I did not understand really how significant that was yet.) Still, it gave me a sense of purpose to realize that there is a God Who made me and gave me the talents and passions that guided my life. Eric Liddell helped plant the seeds that eventually led me to follow Jesus.

Eric Liddell’s faith and athleticism would eventually come into conflict. When he qualified for the Olympics, one of his races was scheduled for a Sunday. He was ready to refuse to run until a teammate offered to switch races with him so that he could still compete in the Olympics. As a Christian athlete, he had the opportunity to share his faith with the world and take a stand for his biblical principles. His faithfulness was rewarded as he won a gold medal in the 400-meter run (he usually ran shorter 100- and 200-meter races). Shortly thereafter, he returned to the mission field in China, where he died in 1945.

We can look back at the 2024 Olympics with some disgust, from the controversial opening ceremony to some scandalous athletic events. (“Is that boxer really a woman? Are we sure? What’s the difference?”) However, we can also see the stories that inspire us. Somewhere in the worlds of sports, music, movies, etc., we may find modern-day Eric Liddells to inspire a vision that leads us to apply our relationship with Jesus Christ to every area of our lives.

“As Christians, I challenge you. Have a great aim—have a high standard—make Jesus your ideal…make Him an ideal not merely to be admired but also to be followed” (Eric Liddell).

(You can find more inspirational quotes about life and faith by Eric Liddell here.)

Heavenly Father, guide us to do things that please You and to seek Your pleasure in all we do. Let us know the joy of feeling Your pleasure as we seek Your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Are there any Christian celebrities (besides church leaders or entertainers in the Christian media) whom you look up to as role models or sources of inspiration? How have they helped you learn more about God? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Copyright © 2024 Michael E. Lynch. All rights reserved.