The Race He Wasn't Supposed to Win

In 1924, Eric Liddell arrived in Paris as Scotland's fastest man — the heavy favorite to win the Olympic 100-meter race. But when the competition schedule was released, Liddell discovered the preliminary heats fell on a Sunday. For Liddell, a devout Christian who honored the Sabbath as holy, there was no agonizing debate. He withdrew.

His decision made international headlines and cost him the event he had trained his entire career to win. Yet rather than abandon the Games altogether, Liddell quietly shifted his preparation to the 400 meters — an event well outside his specialty — and began training in the weeks before the race.

On July 11, 1924, Eric Liddell crossed the finish line in first place, setting a world record of 47.6 seconds. The man who had surrendered what seemed like his only shot at glory went home with gold.

Liddell's story carries a truth woven through all of Scripture: obedience to God rarely looks like the sensible path. It often means releasing the race we planned and trusting that the Lord works powerfully in the space our surrender creates. Liddell did not know he would win. He only knew what God had called him to honor — and he honored it without knowing the outcome.

That is obedience. Not faith in the result, but faithfulness to the One who calls. What race might God be asking you to release? Trust that He sees a finish line you cannot yet see.