Eric Liddell (1902 – 1945) was known as the “Flying Scotsman” because back in the 1920’s he was one of the fastest human beings on the planet. But as determined as he was to win a gold medal in the 1924 Paris Olympics he sacrificed that opportunity all because as a Christian he refused to run on Sunday, believing that God didn’t want him to run on the Lord’s Day. Liddell withdrew from the 100 meters race, in which he was the favorite to win, because the qualifying heat was on a Sunday. Fortunately, God honored Liddell’s decision and commitment to Christ by allowing him to compete in the 400 meters race, where he won gold and set a new world record! However, if it wasn’t for the 1981 movie, Chariots of Fire, many people would not be familiar with the story of Eric Liddell.
Liddell was born in 1902 in China to missionary parents. His parents, however, sent young Eric to attend school in London. It was in London that he trained and became known for his athletic abilities. Shortly after the Olympics, in 1925, Liddell gave up his worldwide fame as an athlete to return to China as a missionary for Christ, where he used his gifts and skills to minister to many young Chinese for Jesus. You see while fame may have been exciting for Liddell it didn’t sway him from pursuing what he knew was his life calling – which was to preach the gospel in China.
After ministering in China for several years life became increasing dangerous because of the Japanese occupation of China. As a result of this increased risk as a Christian missionary, Liddell sent his pregnant wife and their two daughters to Canada. Sadly, he was captured by the Japanese during World War II and placed in a very unsanitary prison camp where he died several years later separated from his family from an inoperable brain tumor at the young age of 43.
But for those few years in the prison camp, Eric left an amazing legacy of Christian love and compassion to the hundreds of people he spent his life serving. Upon his death not only did Scotland mourn, but the entire world shed tears because of his unique story of being an Olympic champion and Christian missionary.
As I was researching this article on Eric Liddell, I was touch by something that Randy Alcorn shared in his article about him. He stated: “On the surface, it all seems so tragic. Why did God withhold from this great man of faith a long life, years of fruitful service, the companionship of his wife, and the joy of raising those beloved children? It makes no sense.”1 But as I have learned in the economy of God, Jesus works his wonderful magic in turning tragedies into triumphs and blessings for all concerned, especially when we are willing to sacrifice our comforts for the kingdom.
In the case of Eric Liddell his impact on many of the prisoners in the Japanese internment camp he was in, and especially the children, can be seen from one of the children who survived the camp experience. Dr. David J. Michell, one of those children, shared the following: “Not only did Eric Liddell organize sports and recreation, through his time in the internment camp he helped many people through teaching and tutoring. He gave special care to the older people, the weak, and the ill, to whom the conditions in camp were very trying. He was always involved in the Christian meetings which were a part of camp life. Despite the squalor of the open cesspools, rats, flies and disease in the crowded camp, life took on a very normal routine, though without the faithful and cheerful support of Eric Liddell, many people would never have been able to manage…None of us will ever forget this man who was totally committed to putting God first, a man whose humble life combined muscular Christianity with radiant godliness.”2
What can we conclude then from the life of Eric Liddell? I think that his impact on the lives of so many in China during World War II, and his inspiration and encouragement to millions outside of China, especially through the impact of the movie, Chariots of Fire, put personal suffering for the sake of Christ in its proper perspective. For you see when we suffer for the sake of the gospel we bring great glory to Christ and accrue many eternal rewards. If I could ascribe a life verse to Eric Liddell I think (Romans 8:18) might just be the one: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
1 The Little Known Story of Olympian Eric Liddell’s Final Years – Blog – Eternal Perspective Ministries (epm.org)
2 The Little Known Story of Olympian Eric Liddell’s Final Years – Blog – Eternal Perspective Ministries (epm.org)