Each day Devotional: Friday, July 19 – Placing God First
By Sports Spectrum Jul 19, 2024
Scotch divinity scholar Eric Liddell gained Olympic glory for Nice Britain within the 400-meter race on the 1924 Summer season Olympic Video games in Paris, France. (AP Picture)
“Those that honor me I’ll honor…” — 1 Samuel 2:30b
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The yr 2024 marks a vital anniversary within the historical past of sports activities in addition to Christian missions. This summer season makes it 100 years since Scottish runner Eric Liddell competed within the 1924 Summer season Olympics, which have been held in Paris, the identical metropolis internet hosting the 2024 Summer season Olympics. Liddell was an unconventional but distinctive athletic expertise who excelled in each rugby and monitor, though his success in working was maybe extra extensively celebrated. Many individuals didn’t learn about Liddell’s story till the 1981 film “Chariots of Fireplace.” Different dramatized variations of it have adopted, together with the 2007 movie collection “The Torchlighters,” the 2012 play “Chariots of Fireplace” (which was primarily based on the film), and the 2016 movie “On Wings of Eagles.”
Regardless that Liddell’s success was unimaginable and he really had an incredible athletic present, what he’s greatest remembered for isn’t his Olympic gold within the 400-meter race or his bronze within the 200m. It’s the stand he took for his Christian religion. The 100m was, by far, his strongest occasion and lots of anticipated him to seize gold in that race at these 1924 Olympics. However when he heard that the race was going to be held on a Sunday, he dropped out and as a substitute educated for the opposite two. God’s day was holy, and he wasn’t going to dishonor his Lord and Savior by placing sports activities earlier than worship. And, as if that stand wasn’t sufficient, he walked away from competitors the next yr to return to China, the place he’d been born to missionary dad and mom, and dedicate himself to missions full time.
On the time, I don’t suppose Eric was making decisions out of an intent that he be immortalized for them. He was merely doing the subsequent proper factor and obeying his conscience and convictions. However the truth that we’re nonetheless speaking about him 100 years later and the stand he took reveals that his message continues to be very related as we speak. All of us nonetheless face temptations that attempt to get us to place our personal achievement and fame forward of God’s glory. All of us take care of selections that imply we typically need to stroll away from issues we love, or make life-moves that don’t appear to make a lot sense from a human perspective.
But, Liddell’s testimony factors to a deeper lesson that drove all the pieces he ever did, together with competing. He all the time mentioned that when he ran, he may “really feel God’s pleasure.” The favor of his Savior was all the time a very powerful factor to him. Nonetheless he may honor God was of his utmost concern, highlighting a scripture that appeared to be on the coronary heart of his need: God honors those that honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30).
After we put the glory of God first in our lives, God blesses. That doesn’t all the time imply issues go easily for us or that we all the time get what we wish. In any case, Liddell died as a comparatively younger man in his 40s whereas held hostage in a Chinese language focus camp. However the sacrifice of his athletic present was a small value to pay for his participation within the development of the work and Gospel of Jesus all over the world.
And so, 100 years later, we bear in mind Eric and his braveness. And hopefully we additionally dedicate ourselves to the identical ambition of placing God first, even when it comes at an amazing price.
— Katherine Singer
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