I began the journey, that is this volume, with a personal
paraphrase of The Book of Philippians. Paul is a singular hero of mine, and I
felt I came to know him better, as a result of the paraphrase. It seemed I sat in
the dark, malodorous cell with him. I wept with him. We became good friends. It
was difficult to leave, as I knew the fate that awaited him. As we exchanged
poignant words, I was almost tempted to reveal it, but I hesitated, and the
moment passed.
Outside of Paul, himself, God has given me
two mentors who I never knew, but who I feel I know intimately. These men have
had a profound impact on my life. They have encouraged me. Both lived and died
just before “my time.”
Eric Liddell is
best remembered in the land of his birth. He was a Scotsman, and was
immortalized in the movie, “Chariots of Fire.” In this portrayal we admire not
only his intimate relationship with God, but his wonderful gift of speed. For
Eric won a gold medal, during the 1924 Olympics, in a race he wasn’t supposed
to win.
He was an
Encourager of Men. Men were easily drawn to him. He had something to say with
both his words, and his life. In all of Scotland, he was known as a real man.
Many of Eric’s
speeches are lost for all time, but one that remains was presented at St.
George’s United Free Church in Edinburgh. Liddell’s words are reminiscent of
the great heart he had for mankind.
“Are you living up to the standards of Jesus
Christ? We are looking for men and women who are willing to answer the
challenge Christ is sending out…Have you sought out a leader in everyday life?
In Jesus Christ you will find a leader worthy of your devotion and mine.
I looked for one I could admire, and I
found Christ. I am a debtor, and no wonder I am a debtor, for He has given me a
message which can only be experienced…” (Caughey, Pg. 106)
I don’t know
about you, but I can get excited about both the message of this young Scotsman,
and the object of his message. He had a message that rang true with literally
thousands of men and women, and his encouragement, and the humbleness with
which he presented it changed his world!
As I said, Eric
was also an athlete. He had a particular style of running. As he neared the end
of each race, his arms flailed like a windmill, and his head was thrown back as
if he were examining clouds. No one who ever watched him run easily forgot the
experience. In the same way, no one who ever heard him speak soon forgot the
message, or the messenger.
It was on April
6, 1923 that Eric made his first public speech. “Speaking slowly and quietly, he made the men feel like he was having a
personal conversation with each one of them. ‘Do you want to know the God I
love? He has given me strength when I thought I had nothing left. And He has
given me words when I thought I couldn’t speak. Accept God tonight, and
tomorrow you will feel a love you have never known before.’” (Caughey, Pgs.
60-61)
These words
seem to lovingly plead,
“Look into the tent that is my life. See if
there is anything substantial here. See if Christ has done anything in me. I
believe He has the same thing to offer you.”
I told you I
had two mentor figures. It so happened that they knew one another, and it was
only recently that I discovered this.
Peter Marshall
sat in one of those packed meetings in which Eric delivered his simple, but
eloquent message. Peter, too, was a Scotsman.
I’d like to
believe that Liddell’s words were a driving force behind what would ultimately
represent Peter’s destiny. Since, not long after their meeting, “A man named
Peter” immigrated to America.
Peter was an
excellent orator; among most eloquent that God ever set upon the earth. For he
was a “word-weaver,” and the words he wove outlive him. Knowing Peter as I do,
I’m convinced that he had but one goal in life; to offer his generation a
glimpse of the risen Christ.
Following are
a few surviving examples of his prayers:
“Take from us the selfishness that is
unwilling to bear the burdens of others, while expecting that others shall help
us with ours. Make us… disgusted with our big professions and our little
deeds…” (Marshall, Pg. 438)
and
“We know that we have offended You by some
of the things we have done. We know that You cannot bless all that we undertake
and do not approve of all our attitudes. But we would hold on to that love that
You have for each one of us-the love that wilt not let us go and wilt not let
us off.” (Pg. 452)
Did I mention?
My friend, Peter, that Scotch immigrant lad, was serving as Chaplain of the
United States Senate when he offered up these and other prayers.
God had a
different mission for Eric Liddell. It seemed that his entire native land
turned out to bid him farewell. His running shoes were put away in favor of his
beloved Bible. He took that Bible to “the ends of the earth.” Eric died of
cancer in 1945; an internee of Japanese-controlled China. “All of Scotland mourned
his passing.”
Dear Ones,
these are two of my heroes. I call them mentors. Though I never knew them, in
life, I know them very well, nonetheless. They were “sold out.” They made a
decision and cut it into stone.
They are sorely
missed.
By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "Unconventional Devotions" Copyright 2005
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