I'm sure most of you have heard of the great missionary/Olympic runner, Eric Liddell. If not You'll just have to do a little research. I probably could have gone a little bit deeper in this essay; but, like I said before, I'll leave that up to you.

Essay:

Why do Eric Liddell’s character traits of humility, selflessness, and his desire to honor God in all situations still effect Christians today?

As an athlete, Eric was devoted to training in sports, as well as serving the Lord. He did track and rugby as a boy. Later on, he dropped rugby in order to fully concentrate on his running. Eventually he moved up to become an Olympic athlete; in the 1924 Olympics in Paris, he took Gold in the 400 meter sprint.

So many people looked up to athletes, as their idols; Eric set the best example. He was always so humble, never taking the credit for himself. He always put God first. One example of this is when he refused to participate in the 100 meter and the 200 meter races at the Paris Olympics, because the opening meets were on Sunday. In this way, he chose to honor God.

Eric became a missionary in China, the land of his birth. There at the Anglo-Chinese College he served as a professor, along with coaching and encouraging a small Chinese athletic team. During World War II he embarked on many a dangerous mission to get badly needed medical supplies for the hospital where his brother, Dr. Robert Liddell, worked. He also rescued countless Japanese and Chinese soldiers who were wounded and left to die.

Eric was a major (godly) influence on many Chinese students. He was so devoted to others’ lives. He always gave up his own time and comforts for someone else’s, and risked his life for many.

Eric always had the attitude “God first, others, than me.” He sacrificed many life time opportunities just to serve the Lord.