In the 1924 Olympics, two of the fastest men in the world ran for Great Britain — Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell.
Harold Abrahams was a fiercely competitive man. Every race he ran, he looked sideways to see where the others were. He trained hard because he constantly felt the pressure to prove himself. The success of others always felt like a threat to him.
Eric Liddell was different.
Eric was known as “The Flying Scotsman,” but he was not just a runner — he was a devoted Christian. He believed that God had given him the gift of speed for a purpose. He once said:
“God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.”
During the Olympics, Eric discovered that his qualifying race was scheduled on a Sunday. That day was sacred to him — a day set apart for worship. The nation expected him to run and win gold. But Eric refused. He said:
“I will not run on the Lord’s day.”
People called him foolish. They said he was throwing away his only chance at glory. Many were angry at him. Why couldn’t he just do what everyone else was doing?
But Eric Liddell wasn’t running their race. He was running his race — the one God put before him.
He was moved to a completely different event — the 400 meters — a race he had not trained for. The experts said he had no chance. The world expected his defeat.
But on race day, Eric did something unusual. Instead of watching the runners beside him, he kept his eyes lifted upward… and he ran.
He ran like a man without fear or comparison.
He ran like a man enjoying God.
He ran like a man who knew his purpose.
Eric Liddell won the gold medal.
He set a world record that stood for years.
Meanwhile, Harold Abrahams — though he also won a medal — struggled emotionally. Because every time someone else succeeded, he felt smaller.
Eric showed the world one simple truth:
Victory doesn’t come from beating others.
It comes from obeying God’s calling for your life.
When our eyes are on others, comparison steals our joy.
But when our eyes are on Jesus, our purpose becomes clear.
Eric ran his race — and God honored him.