Eric Liddell loved to run. And on July 11, 1924, he experienced the thrill of winning the Olympic gold medal for the 400-meter race in a very convincing manner. He finished five meters ahead of the next runner and set the world record for that time. What was especially significant about his win is that the 400-meter race wasn’t his strength. He wasn’t even lined-up to run that race. His event was the 200-meter sprint. And he was the favorite to win that race. But when the qualifying races for that event were scheduled on a Sunday, he opted to honor his commitment to worship God and to preach at a local church. He forfeited his place to run at the 200-meter race. And that seemed like the end of the matter.
But the Lord chose to honor Liddell’s dedication and opened up the way for him to run at the 400-meter race. Many thought it was foolish for him even to consider it, since he had trained only for the 200-meter sprint. Everybody expected him to lose, and a loss could ruin his reputation as a runner. And the qualifying runs seemed to support what others were saying. He was able to qualify but his overall performance lacked any promise. But for Eric Liddell, defeat or victory really did not matter. “I don’t need explanations from God. I simply believe him and accept whatever comes my way.” And, as the saying goes, the rest is history.
Many may perceive Eric Liddell’s attitude as fatalistic. That is understandable if one sees events as impersonal, predetermined occurrences. But for one who believes in a personal God who is involved in his people’s lives, then what Liddell had shown was faith. He believed that God is the good God who is worthy of his trust. God did not need to explain his actions.
Would Liddell still have the same perspective if he had lost the 400-meter race? Without a doubt. He already made the choice to honor God and forfeit running at the 200-meter sprint. The mere fact that he was still able to run at the 400-meter race was already a bonus. Winning or losing was irrelevant. He simply made himself available to God. His delight was to accept every opportunity to serve God, or to enjoy the bonuses that God brings his way, or even to face the trials that test his resolve to honor his Lord. His contentment was in God.
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4.11–13 NIV11).
—Keith Y. Jainga