In my Intro to Missions class, we were asked to read a missionary biography and write a book report. At first I giggled at this, because I have not written a book report in probably 10 years. Once I began reading my book I was grateful for the assignment. I chose a biography written about Eric Liddell, a Scotsman who served the Lord in China. He was raised in China as a MK, then returned to Scotland for schooling. At University he began running on the track team, and a couple years later he was winning metals at the 1924 Olympics in Paris.
Eric is most famous for choosing not to run his best race during the finals because it was set to be on a Sunday. The movie Chariots of Fire was written about his success. Soon after the Olympics, Eric at age 23 left again for a permanent teaching position in China. Even through political turmoil and persecution, Eric remained dedicated to the task. He was married and spent much of his marriage away from his wife and kids because of the unrest in the cities where he was assigned.
The book repeatedly quoted Eric in saying in these circumstances “It’s complete surrender”. The first time it is said in the book, I hardly noticed it. Then the rain came.
He gave up a race in the Olympics to keep the Sabbath holy. It’s complete surrender.
He hung up his running shoes for the humble life of a teacher. It’s complete surrender.
He lived in a different city than his wife to keep her safe. It’s complete surrender.
He never met his youngest daughter. It’s complete surrender.
He died in a Japanese internment camp away from his family. It’s complete surrender.
God, give me the courage to follow You to the ends of the earth under any circumstance. May my life be marked by complete surrender.
