My five-year-old son David is learning about the Olympic games in school. As he colored a template of the Olympic flag, I told him some stories about games from my youth, including how I was so taken by the Swedish skier Ingemar Stenmark that I even named my first car “Stenny” after him. Then I remembered the Torchlighters video that we have of the acclaimed Scottish runner Eric Liddell, whose devotion to God was even greater than it was to his sport. Liddell, who competed in the Paris games in 1924, refused to participate in the 100 meter race, his specialty, because it was to be held on a Sunday, a day which he observed as a holy period of worship and rest. Despite the public outcry against him, Liddell stuck to his principles, and he went on to break the world record in the 400 meter race, for which he won a gold medal. He also finished third with a bronze in the 200.
Unlike many athletes, Liddell did not cash in on his ringing success, but instead followed in his parents’ footsteps as a missionary to his birthplace, China. When the Japanese invaded that nation during World War II, Liddell sent his wife and two daughters (Mrs. Liddell was pregnant with their third daughter) to safety in Canada, her homeland. In 1943, he was interred at a Japanese prison camp, where he labored selflessly as a teacher and coach to the children, and a caretaker of the older people. In 1945, he died of a brain tumor in the camp, which was liberated a short time later.
David was moved to tears by Liddell’s story, and we talked about what a special man he was. Later in the evening, after my son was in bed, I caught the last 15 minutes of a favorite childhood movie, “National Velvet.” Elizabeth Taylor starred as an 11 year-old girl who won the British Grand National on her beloved, but unknown, horse. Afterwards, offers came pouring in to tour the world with her acclaimed steed, but Velvet Brown said all she wanted to do was return to school and continue with life as usual. Her father was upset, but her mother, who had swum the English Channel in her youth then went on to become a housewife and mother, encouraged Velvet, saying there is an appointed time for everything. Sometimes, we just need to move on. Eric Liddell lived that belief.
There are seasons in all of our lives, some long, some short, some in between. May you, with grace, find the places that God has appointed for you in His time.
0