The Price of the Gold

In the 1924 Paris Olympics, Scottish sprinter Eric Liddell was favored to win the 100 meters. But when he learned the heats were scheduled on a Sunday, he withdrew. For Liddell, honoring the Lord's Day was not negotiable — not even for Olympic glory. The British press called him a traitor. Teammates questioned his judgment. An entire nation watched him walk away from the race he was born to run.

Liddell entered the 400 meters instead — an event he had barely trained for. Before the race, a masseur slipped a note into his hand. It read: "Those who honor Me, I will honor" — from 1 Samuel 2:30. Liddell not only won, he set a world record of 47.6 seconds.

But here is what matters most: Liddell would have made the same choice if he had lost. His sacrifice was not a bargaining chip with the Almighty. It was an act of worship. He gave up what he wanted most because he loved the One who gave him the legs to run in the first place.

Scripture tells us that Abraham laid Isaac on the altar before the ram appeared in the thicket. Sacrifice, real sacrifice, means releasing the outcome to God. It means trusting that what we surrender into His hands is safer there than it ever was in ours.

What race is God asking you to withdraw from — so He can enter you in a better one?