But There's More

Most of us are familiar with the movie "Chariots of Fire" and Eric Liddell who wouldn't race on Sunday because of his faith. But there's more, much more.

In the first post of 2013 titled "Still Learning" I spoke about the two Christian history devotional books I purchased for the new year. It has been interesting learning about people who made a difference all through the ages.

The February 21st devotional was on Eric Liddell, with the first paragraph mentioning the well-known movie. But the rest of the devotion was on Eric's ministry in China, where he was imprisoned at a Japanese prison war camp for being an "enemy national."

The year after his famous race he went to China to teach at the Anglo-Chinese College at Tientsin. He married and had two children. But 16 years later, sensing politial turmoil, he sent his wife and daughters home to Canada. His wife, Florence, was expecting their third child.

Eric organized a school in the prison camp after 300 students from the Chefoo School of the China Inland Mission were brought to the camp. He taught math and science at the school, administered camp athletics, and acted as chief translator.

He became ill and died. Later it was discovered he had a brain tumour. He was 43.

Here is a man celebrated by the world for a small step in his early life. His service in China a little unknown fact for most of us.

Eric Liddell was a humble man with a simple and personal faith whose life's purpose was to glorify God. The book, Eric Liddell: Champion of Conviction, is about his life.

My heart is inspired and encouraged when I read these little facts about people who lived for Christ through the centuries. The book is on my wish list for future purchases.

Yes, those two Christian history devotionals are providing me with numerous stories of how people lived for Christ and made a difference.