The movie Chariots of Fire was written about the trials and triumphs the Scottish sprinter, Eric Liddell, faced as he represented his country and Jesus Christ in the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris.
He was quoted as saying, “I feel God’s pleasure when I run, but I also feel compulsion about keeping the Sabbath for the Lord.” You see, his best race, the 100 meter, was scheduled for a Sunday.
So what did Liddell do?
To the dismay of his countrymen, he made the decision to instead enter the 400 meter race which was scheduled for another day. As he prepared for the race, an American trainer slipped him a piece of paper that read, “Those who honor me, I will honor;” those words are found in 1 Samuel 2:30. To the surprise of all, Eric won the 400 meter race - a distance he had never run before. God honored him with a gold medal!
After his win, Eric said, “It’s been a wonderful experience to compete in the Olympic games and brining home a gold medal. But since I have been a young lad, I have had my eyes on a different prize. You see, each one of us who knows Christ as our personal Savior, we are running a greater race than any I have ran in Paris, and this race ends when God gives out the medals.”
Liddell, the child of Scottish missionaries to China, followed his parents in this calling. He served as a missionary teacher for the rest of his life in China. He died there in a Japanese prison camp in 1945 at the age of 43. His last recorded words were, “it (life) is a surrender.” His life belonged to God.
Let’s reflect on those words from 1 Samuel 2:30 that were given to Eric:
“Those that honor me, I will honor.”
This passage of Scripture tells of a conversation between God and the prophet Samuel concerning the priesthood of Eli. God sent an unnamed prophet to have the conversation with Samuel. God speaks through the unnamed prophet to highlight the importance of honoring Him, and His disappointment when He is not.
You see, God desires to be honored by His people and promises to honor (to show favor towards) those who do so. We honor God by obeying Him and surrendering to His will. It is His will that we honor Him with our words, actions, relationships, finances, decisions, and by daily committing to being salt and light in a dark world.
How are you HONORING God with your life? It begins by putting him first in all things and making commitments like Eric Liddell did. When we put God first we position ourselves for God’s favor and blessing.
Make 2024 a year of HONORING GOD in all that you say, all that you do, and in all that you are a part of.
Have a GREAT week honoring God in all that you do!