Type Eric Liddell into your search bar, and pretty quick you’ll encounter his most famous quote: “God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” Sure enough, it’s a great statement, only Liddell never said it. The famous line comes from the the Liddell character in the film Chariots of Fire (1981), the biopic about the Scottish missionary to China, who at the 1924 Olympic games in Paris won a gold medal for the 400 meter run. You may know the 400 was a new event for him, since he refused to run in his typical 100 because the race was held on a Sunday. Thankfully, the real Liddell said some real words worth remembering, too. Here are three.
On hard work
“No man who really is a man ever cared for the easy task. There is no enjoyment in the game that is easily won. It is that in which you have to strain every muscle and sinew to achieve victory that provides real joy.”
On eternal rewards
“It has been a wonderful experience to compete in the Olympic Games and to 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 than any I have run in Paris, and this race ends when God gives out the medals.”
On knowing God
“You will know as much of God, and only as much of God, as you are willing to put into practice.”