Think Spot

23rd July 2012

Who is in first place?

Last weekend I had a treat I wasn't expecting. My wife Joy took me out to celebrate 9 months of marriage. After a meal out she started to give small clues as to where I was being taken in her car. It was all mystery until we arrived at a cinema in Southampton and my suspicions were confirmed when we went into a Cinema studio to see Chariots of Fire .I first saw this film in 1984 and was thrilled to see it again because in my youth running was at the centre of my life until convicted that I was controlled by my sport which was allowed to take first place in my life and God came a low down second. So I was interested to see how Eric Liddell a Christian whose amazing athletic career had taken him to the top flight among athletes in Great Britain was able to be a christian and keep running in its rightful place.. I was interested to know how he was able to remain strong in his convictions as a Christian and yet run for his country at a very high level in the 1924 Olympics on a Sunday.

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Eric Liddell was shocked to learn that the heats for his event the 100 metres were to be run on a Sunday and straight away he knew both his conscience and God's Word would not allow him to break the Sabbath. He began to train for another even although chosen for the 100 metres thus upsetting the United Kingdom Olympic Committee which including the Prince of Wales heir to the throne.. When interviewed and asked for a reason Eric was very firm in his convictions nothing would drag him away from his Sabbath worship to participate in sport on that same day.

The actor portraying this role played his role well and it certainly came across to the people in the cinema that here was a man who was a wonderful example of what we all should do when it comes to standing up for our faith. We may not be selected to compete for GB at the Olympic Games but what if our faith was challenged perhaps at work or school, college or play or in retirement. Would we put Jesus first at all times?

Eric was handed a note from the American team just before his new event the 400 metres , It was a text to be found in 1 Samuel. “He who honours me I will honour.” When it came to the race Eric won handsomely and broke the world record. God had surely honoured his decision to put God first.

Only a year later Eric was on a ship to China to once again put God first as he went with his wife to serve God there. His athletic career was firmly in second place to his first desire to put God first at all times. Recently I saw a dvd and his three daughters, one not even born when Eric sent them off to relatives ion Canada when the Japanese invaded China and Eric was interned with many others. On the DVD, she was so proud of her dad. Remember he never saw her and she never saw him. He died of a tumour in an internment camp in China. The Chinese people still remember him today for his love and deep concern for the Chinese people.

This man loved God with all his heart and was strong in his faith and as a result many lives in china were changed through his ministry. He never wavered. I know he was not turning down wealth as athletes did not get the money they receive today for winning or even competing in International events but fame and fortune would not have distracted this true man of faith. My life and your life need to speak for Jesus Christ and we need to stand up for Jesus and shine like powerful beacons in this world of sinful darkness.

We are in enemy territory every day and are here to win others to Jesus Christ, If we hold firm to our convictions God will use us as we give ourselves 100 per cent for Jesus as Eric did. I wept during that film. I will not forget the film or the text . 'He that honour Me I will honour Him. “You shall have no other gods before Me” says the Lord in Exodus 19 and 20 Music art or sport can so rob us of eternal life and God His glory. Fight the fight of faith my friends.

Joys Prayer

Gracious God and loving heavenly Father,

As the Olympics draw near please bless all the athletes and spectators and keep them safe from danger. We pray you will watch over spectators travelling from abroad and being in a strange country may they make friends easily. We pray for the Christian witness at the games and all who are participating in making Jesus Christ known at the various venues around London and beyond.

May we be careful to place God first in our lives and take Eric Liddell as a fine example for us to emulate.

In Jesus Name

Amen

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