The Gold Medal on the Altar

In the summer of 1924, Eric Liddell arrived at the Paris Olympics as Scotland's fastest man, expected to contend for gold in the 100-meter dash. But when he learned the heats fell on a Sunday, he withdrew. He would not compromise his conviction that the Lord's Day belonged to God — not even for Olympic glory.

The British press called him a fool. But Liddell held firm, entering the 400 meters instead — a distance he had barely prepared for — and stunned the world by winning gold in a record 47.6 seconds.

Yet here is what makes his story extraordinary: Liddell did not cling to his fame. The following year, he sailed for China to serve as a missionary teacher. For nearly twenty years he poured himself out — teaching, evangelizing, and caring for people who had never heard of Olympic medals. He died in a Japanese internment camp in February 1945, just months before liberation, still giving away his own food rations to weaker prisoners.

The fastest man in Scotland spent his life for people who would never know his name on a track.

That is the shape of the Cross. Christ Jesus did not sacrifice what was easy to part with — He laid down the glory of heaven itself. Paul put it plainly: "I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:8).

What is the Almighty asking you to lay down — not your leftovers, but your gold medal?