While C. T. Studd was laboring in foreign lands, a young missionary couple from Scotland served the Lord in China. Around the dangerous time of the Boxer Rebellion, James and Mary Liddell had two sons. In August 1900 Robert was born, and in January 1902 Eric was born.
As was the custom for most foreign missionary families, Robbie and Eric were educated abroad. In Scotland both boys worked hard in school and excelled in athletics. As a teenager, Eric was known for being swift of foot; by the time he was twenty years old some were calling him the fastest runner in Scotland. He felt greatly honored when he was selected to be a part of the British Olympic team as the 1924 Paris Olympic Games drew near.
With a chance to earn the title of fastest man in the world, Eric was stunned when he discovered the heat for the 100 meter event was run on Sunday. Having always reserved Sunday as ‘the Lord’s Day,’ Eric firmly said, “I’m not running.” Pressure was exerted from every angle but Eric Liddle would not change his mind. He willingly gave up the opportunity of a lifetime because he loved God more.
The Academy Award winning movie Chariots of Fire tells the story of Eric being given the opportunity to enter an event for which he had not trained. As excitement grew before the 400 meter race, most experts gave him no chance to win, but Eric had surrendered everything to God.
An acquaintance gave Eric a note before the race which said, “In the old book it says, ‘He that honors me I will honor.’ Wishing you the best of success always.” Eric Liddell won the gold and set a world record in the 400 meter run.
Eric was 22 years old when he returned to Scotland as a champion and a hero. At age 23 Eric moved to China and followed in his parents’ footsteps sharing Christ in a foreign land. He served God twenty years as a missionary and died of a brain tumor in China in 1945. His last words were: “It’s complete surrender.”
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31
Quotes from Eric Liddell by Catherine Swift, ©1990, Bethany House Publishers, Minneapolis, MN