Chariots of Fire

This is the profile picture on my Facebook. I found this many years ago and instantly loved it. It expressed for me how I felt as a lone woman in the world. Even though I am alone, the King of Heaven and His armies are always ready to defend and protect me.

And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

2 Kings 6: 16-17

 

The above scripture refers to this belief of mine, and also to 'chariots of fire'. The movie, 'Chariots of Fire' has long been a favourite movie of mine. If you haven't seen it, you have missed something special. The great Eric Liddell is portrayed in the movie and his faith. He ran in the 1924 Paris Olympics but rather than break his faith with God, he refused to run in the heats for the men's 100m because it was scheduled on the  Sabbath day. This was his favoured distance and opted instead to run in the 400m. He not only took the gold medal for this race but he broke the Olympic and World records of the time. What an awesome testimony to the truth.

 

For them that honour me I will honour

1 Sam 2:30

 

He went on to serve as a missionary in China. He could have left China when WWII broke out but chose to stay, sending his wife and children to Canada for safety. In 1943 he was captured and interned at the Weihsien Camp. He died there on 21 February 1945, five months before liberation.  He served as a leader and organiser to the internees and was greatly mourned.

 

Prior to the Beijing Olympics in 2008, it was revealed by Chinese authorities that Eric was given an opportunity to leave the camp, and selflessly gave his place to a pregnant woman.  This final and supreme act of sacrifice was not known by even his family members until this announcement was made.

 

A memorial plaque to him has been placed on the site of the former internment camp and inscribed on it are these words:

 

They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary

Isaiah 40: 31

See the life of this extraordinary man on youtube:

http://youtu.be/h-qA6GjRPLg

Also a video by one of his daughters:

http://youtu.be/5inAjERMZ0E