Numbers 25-35 Run the Race

Earlier tonight I watched the film “Chariots of Fire” for the first time since growing my twelve-year molars, and was completely captivated by the story.

Basically it goes…

Eric Liddell was a man that God called for two missions. The first was to call attention to the glory of God in front of the whole world at the 1924 Olympic, and the second was to being the gospel to the country of China.

Liddell did both…

The movie focus on the Olympics part where he refuses to run the race of his lifetime on a Sunday. He is forced to compete in a race that he was not prepared for…he won anyway. Liddell is still famous for this…more than 80 years later.

God used his life, to show his presence to missions.

I even saw a documentary about him and his faith two years ago at the last olymics on public television. God is still working.

What still catches my attention about this story is the fact that Liddell died in an internment camp during World War Two.

God was glorified in his life, and God would eventually call him home.

Someday, when I get to heaven…I really want to meet Eric Liddell.

To tie this whole idea into scripture…Tonight, I also read Numbers 27. This is the passage where God tells Moses that he is going to die. At this point, Moses lays his hands onto Joshua, and passes the leadership of Israel onto him.

God gives Moses a bit more time and a few last missions…but God, Moses, and Joshua are prepared for a day to come when Moses will no longer be with the Israelites.

Both Moses and Liddell illustrate the inevitability of humanity, which is death.

But! Both also illustrate the value of following God’s call with whatever life that God brings to us. Both were faced with opportunities to walk away from the challenges that God would place before them, and both stepped up (or ran up) to the plate.

Because these men said “yes” we are still talking about them today…and the kingdom of heaven will forever be marked by their lives.

The other challenge presented by these men, is the knowledge that one day…someone will take our spot. In 1936, Liddell’s speed records were broken, and Moses immediately passed his position onto Joshua. Both of these men remind us that we cannot hold onto our titles and positions forever…because someone else will eventually fill our place. Fortunately…I believe that both of these men would be happy to pass on the torch.

So…thought of the day: Run the race called life well, give glory to God at every opportunity, and then happy pass your position off to someone else when its time.

Good Night.

Thanks!

“We are all missionaries. Wherever we go, we either bring people nearer to Christ, or we repel them from Christ.”

-Eric Liddell