More Than Fast

In 1924, Scottish sprinter Eric Liddell arrived at the Paris Olympics as Britain's fastest man. He was the favorite in the 100 meters — the event everyone expected him to win. But when he learned the heats were scheduled for a Sunday, he withdrew. The press called him a fool. His own Olympic committee pressured him to run. Liddell wouldn't budge.

He knew something the world didn't. His identity wasn't built on being the fastest man in Britain. It was built on belonging to the living God.

Liddell switched to the 400 meters — an event he'd barely trained for. Just before the race, a team masseur slipped a note into his hand. It read: "Those who honour Me, I will honour" — from 1 Samuel 2:30. Liddell won the gold medal that day in a world-record 47.6 seconds.

Years later, as a missionary in China, Liddell said something the film Chariots of Fire would make famous: "God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure."

Notice what he didn't say. He didn't say, "I am fast." He said God made him fast. His speed was a gift, not a definition.

The world will always try to reduce you to what you can produce. But your identity was settled before you ever performed. You are not what you do. You are whose you are. And the One who made you takes pleasure in watching you run.