Eric Liddell – was England’s fastest 100 meter runner in 1924
Paris Olympics. Once he was asked to join a race that fell on a Sunday .He said ,no way. Incredible pressure was applied on Him. The Prince of Wales and the media called him
a traitor. He didn’t go against his
beliefs. He stood firm in his decision not to attend the race.
A few years later, he went
to China as a missionary – His wife and children joined him. World War II came.
Japan entered China. His wife and children went back to Canada. He was
arrested, brought to a concentration camp. He died a heroic’s death. Letters
arrived describing his heroism. In 1980
– a movie about Eric and the 1924
Olympics was made. Eric’s wife in Toronto said: “Who would be interested in an
event so long ago about a man who wouldn’t run on Sundays because of his extra
beliefs?”
As it turned out: millions
were interested. The movie, “Chariots
of Fire” broke box office records and won the 1982 Academy Awards.
This story illustrates the
positive side of Jesus’ teachings in the Gospel. He said, “Once the hand is laid on the
plough, no one who looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God”. (Lk.9:62) St. Paul reiterated the value of commitment and determination “ “ All I can say is that I forget the past and
I strain ahead for what is still to come. I am racing for the finish,for the
prize to which God calls us upwards to receive in Christ Jesus.” (Philppians
3:14-15)
Eric never looked back once he
decided to follow Jesus, he kept looking forward. He never looked back even in
the face of tremendous public pressure, even in the face of being called a
traitor to his country.
What was the secret behind
Eric’s never to look back behavior?
Loyalty to Jesus even in the face of overwhelming oppression. He spent
the first and very early hours of every day –praying!
This is his secret! He was
able to keep his hand on the plough – and didn’t look back because he met Jesus
each morning in prayer!
A Catholic Advertising
Executive – though successful in her career-- she felt an emptiness in her life
– She mentioned that emptiness to a colleague who asked her, “Do you want to fill it?" "Of course I do!" she
answered. Then start each day with an
hour of prayer. “You got to be kidding me?
The woman wondered; begin each day with a prayer? With an hour of prayer?
Absolutely out of the question. The next morning she found herself doing it –
and she’s been loving it ever since.
“You’re fitting God into your life –You should
be trying to fit your life around God”. What’s important is the
commitment!
“I will follow you Lord!”
Can you still say this with honesty and
commitment now?
Why is it more efficient to
keep these words alive? Have we initially followed
and then abandoned him for the pleasures and fleeting joys of this world?
Revelation; Complaint of God:
“I have this complaint against you, you have
less love now than you used to.” (Rev 2:4).