Complete Surrender

A hundred years ago the Olympic games were played out in Paris, France. A hundred years ago, a young man named Eric Liddell, a Scotsman, went to Paris to compete as a sprinter. He was expected to win, but he learned that the qualifying heat was to be run on a Sunday. It was on a Sunday afternoon to be exact. Liddell was a follower of Jesus who had a strict understanding of God’s rules, which included no work on the Sabbath. That also included no play, as playing, like running or soccer, would make one’s body work. Sunday, his Sabbath, was for worship and rest. People tried to dissuade Liddell of his decision to forego competing. They even suggested that he go to worship and then run in the afternoon. It wasn’t a big deal. But it was a big deal to Eric who felt God’s pleasure, he said, when he ran. A fellow runner offered to give Liddell his place in another race, the 400-yard dash. Eric’s race was the 100-yard dash and no one expected he could handle the longer distance. He shocked the world, and other competitors, by not only coming in first but also by making a new world record. He said that he decided before the race to run as fast as he could for the first 200 yards, and then, he said, “with God’s help, to run the second 200 yards faster.” Eric Liddell followed his parents to the mission field in China and stayed behind when the British embassy advised all British citizens to leave China during a season of great unrest. He was imprisoned there and died of a brain tumor in the prison camp. One of his last words was, “It’s complete surrender.” In my sermons, in my book, and in my conversation, you will find that I’m not a big fan of the interpretation of the word “commandment,” and I don’t believe the most important thing to God is “the rules.” But, I do respect the people who believe that they are. Although I hear God’s word differently, I agree with Liddell that faith in Jesus, and following Jesus, requires complete surrender. To me, that means no longer fighting against his love, but receiving it. I’m not sure Eric Liddell wouldn’t agree with me as well. Please pray for the safety of all those competing in the games in Paris this year. Blessings, Geoff