I absolutely love the Olympic Games.
I love watching sports that I don’t usually get to watch. Ones like weight lifting, gymnastics, archery and the table tennis. I love watching the skill and the physical endurance of the athletes as they strive to win gold for their country.
One of my favourite moments of the past week was when Hayden Wilde (New Zealand Triathlete) was over taken in the last 300 metres of the race and he got silver rather than winning. But rather than being distraught he went and sat next to the champion with a big smile on his face and congratulated him.
I love the Olympics and one of my all-time favourite athletes is Eric Liddell. Eric was an Olympic champion in the 400metres back at the Paris Games in 1924. Eric’s victory at the Olympics is told in the famous movie – Chariots of Fire. But more than Eric’s victory at the Olympics the thing I love about Eric is that he lived his life for Jesus. Eric ran for an eternal prize.
Eric said this about his faith in Jesus, “Many of us are missing something in life because we are after the second best, I put before you what I have found to be the best – one who is worthy of all our devotion – Jesus Christ. He is the Saviour for the young and the old. Lord, here I am use me.”
Eric’s devotion to Jesus eventually lead him away from athletics, away from the comforts of his home town in Scotland. It lead him to travel to China and proclaim the good news about Jesus there. Eric eventually died in China at the age of 43.
Eric lived his life not devoted to the things of this world, things which wouldn’t last but he lived life with his eyes fixed on Jesus and his eternal kingdom.
In the words of Hebrews 12: 1-3; Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
I wonder how are you seeking to run the race for Jesus? How are you seeking to live for His kingdom?
The glory of the Olympics will fade but the glory that awaits us with Jesus will last forever. Let’s live for that day.
Grace & peace,
Paul