On Friday, our playgroup's theme was on the Olympics. The kids learned about the origin of the Olympics, the motto, the significance of the rings and their colors and heard a story about Eric Liddell.
I've read about Eric Liddell and saw the Chariots of Fire, but researching and telling the kids about him have inspired me so greatly. He was an Olympic champion in 1924, and subsequently became a missionary to China. He was famous for his signature running posture, which was to throw his head back as if he's looking at heaven. He was also famous, or infamous for turning down his pet event, the 100m dash, at the Olympics because it was to be held on a Sunday. For Eric, it was a day of rest and worship. Today, that would have been easily rationalized away and Christians and non-Christians alike would say that it was a matter of the heart, and he could have run and treated another day his Sabbath and he could worship God anytime, not just on Sunday.
Eric stood his ground, much to the displeasure of the whole of Britain, but went on to win in the 400m event, breaking the world record as well. His life was completely poured out for Christ, serving as a missionary and at the concentration camp during WWII. He died at the camp just before WWII ended, away from his family.
As I read about him, and people's testimonials of him, the thought that kept coming to me was that this was a life that brought God so much glory and pleasure. He reflected Christ so well, and God must have been so proud of him.
On another note, I was shocked when Christen retold the story today - the story I told the kids last Friday in the open air where my voice was lost to the wind, and the kids were just loosely gathered on a mat. In her words, she said, " Eric Lidell persevered. He didn't want to run on Sunday because he said, " my God is the most important to me so I must go to church and Sunday school. But the people were angry with him but he still didn't run.
WOW! What truth can be deposited in the hearts of children if we just take time to do that.
Here's the link to a short clip of Chariots of Fire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPB7r0UpNIE
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment