Running for the Pleasure of God

In the summer of 1924, Scottish sprinter Eric Liddell stunned the world — not by what he ran, but by what he refused to run. Liddell was the fastest man in Britain in the 100 meters, the heavy favorite for gold at the Paris Olympics. But when he learned the 100-meter heats fell on a Sunday, he withdrew. The press called him a fool. His own teammates questioned his judgment.

Liddell didn't just sit out. He entered the 400 meters instead — an event he had barely trained for — and won gold in a world-record 52.6 seconds. When asked why he would risk everything over a scheduling conflict, Liddell gave an answer that still echoes a century later. As portrayed in the film Chariots of Fire, he said simply, "God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure."

That is what purpose sounds like. Not a career plan. Not a five-year strategy. Purpose is the moment when what God built you to do and what God calls you to do run on the same track.

Liddell eventually left competitive running altogether. He returned to China as a missionary, serving until his death in a Japanese internment camp in 1945. He could have spent a lifetime chasing medals. Instead, he chased the pleasure of the Almighty.

Friends, the world will always have an opinion about what you should do with your gifts. But the only opinion that matters belongs to the One who gave them. When you live inside your God-given purpose, even the detours become gold.