In the book 'The Purpose Driven Life' Rick Warren quotes C.S. Lewis observation 'The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become - because He made us. He invented all the different people that you and I were intended to be....It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, that I first being to have a real personality of my own."
What I learnt today from my readings is you don't bring glory or pleasure to God by hiding your abilities or trying to be someone else. Most of my life I have often struggled by rejecting who I am, my background, or the lack of something or the other be it money, time, abilities or resources or not being at the right place at the right time and have argued or bickered with God about this or that. Being frank and authentic is good but I do realize and learn anytime I reject any part of myself, I am rejecting God's infinite wisdom and sovereignty. He created me for His pleasure.
Rick goes on to quote in his famous book the example of Eric Liddell the 1924 British Olympic gold medalist and missionary to China of how he argued with his sister the purpose of his running, Liddell says "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel God's pleasure. To give up running would be to hold him in contempt."
Though I love those lines from the film - 'Chariots of Fire' (We all remember that great soundtrack of all times..don't we?) brought out something more amazing and special. Eric Liddell wouldn't run his race on a Sunday as he chose to honor God more than the king's mandate to win an Olympic gold for his country. The newspapers of that time ran headlines quoting 'God before King' praising Eric Lidell's stand not to run on a sunday. Opposition loomed from country, coaches and team mates but through that hard situation Eric Liddell chose to bring glory to God. History shows us God made a way through Eric's friend who gave up his race for Eric to compete, though not trained for the 400m event Eric goes on to win the Olympic gold medal. Enjoy this cool clip here:
Where does the power come from to see the race to its end; it comes from within, it comes from God. Just before the race an American athlete (from the rival team) hands Erics a note which says "He that honors me I will honor".
Blessings & Sar Shalom be with you all,
Enjoy the famous tune from 'Chariots of Fire'
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
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3 comments:
Wow Sam, So much to ponder! Another of my favorite movies and lines "When I run, I feel His Pleasure." I am very encouraged by your thoughts. I see my writing in the same light. I must do it even though I don't know what the outcome will be. We must not not "hold Him in contempt!" I love "anytime I reject any part of myself, I am rejecting God's infinite wisdom and sovereignty." Forgive me Lord!!!
Thanks Renai. I appreciate your comments.
This is a good thought it makes you realize the talent, resources, jobs, everything we have belongs to Jesus and He is the one who will hold us one day to account for everything. Eric's response evokes in me the desire to be a man only answerable to God and the rest will follow suit.
Thanks for the post.
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