Dear Friends
The Olympics are not immune
to controversy, scandal, politics, and even terror. But every other summer or winter,
they provide a happy and healthy break from the rest of the news. And they
remind us of the very different and amazing things the human body can do. Some
of the inspiring back stories on the athletes are also amazing.
Those of us who love track are aware that this year is the 100th anniversary of Eric Liddell’s
gold and bronze medals in the 400 and 200 meters in the 1924 Paris Olympics. His
refusal to run on the Sabbath kept him from competing in the 100 meters, the
event he was focused on, documented in Chariots of Fire which won four academy
awards in 1981 for best picture, musical score, costume design and screenplay.
Eric Liddell was added to our Episcopal calendar
not just for his medals or witness in keeping the Sabbath, but for his post-Olympic
life as a missionary in China. His Feast date is February 22nd.
Two of his quotes are worth sharing:
Upon his return from Paris in 1924 he said,
“It
has been a wonderful experience to compete in the Olympic Games and bring 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 is in a greater race that I have run in Paris;
and this race ends when God gives out the medals”
In the movie, you may recall him speaking these words:
“God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure”.
How about changing his quote to be for all of us:
“God
made me good. And when I live with His goodness, I feel His pleasure.”
Like God declaring all that he made in the Genesis creation
story as good, God made us good; and when we live with His goodness, we
feel his pleasure and can bring pleasure to others.
Now, back to my countdown to 2028, when Squash will make its Olympic debut. Can't wait! All efforts to have it in the Olympics before have been, well, you know!😂
John
