Feb
6
2018
The Heart Of A Champion
Posted in Evangelism 4 Comments
Excitement was in the air.
The mood of the city was electric.
Everywhere you went, there was only one thing people would talk about.
Could this be the year?
Do we dare hope for something that has been out of our reach for so long?
There was something different about this year.
There was hope based on facts that were clearly seen over months of hard work.
There was hope that went beyond the hard work and determination.
The city wore the color green proudly.
Buildings were illuminated in green lights.
Boathouse Row, famous for its lighted houses reflecting on the river, was outlined in green.
It was appropriate; the hope was palpable.
The Eagles football team was in the Super Bowl.
They were going to be playing a team that had won five Super Bowls and seemed unstoppable.
The road to the prize was long and arduous.
The players were deemed the underdog and people of the city wore dog masks to celebrate.
The quarterback who led the team in their many wins, tore his ACL, and required surgery.
A backup quarterback was placed in the key position.
The team practiced, the team played hard each game, and the team kept winning.
Winning in the season was one thing; winning the Super Bowl was quite another.
The fans supported their beloved team.
The fans remained loyal.
The fans hoped.
The fans believed.
Little by little another story was being told alongside the story of winning football games.
It was a story of faith.
It was a story of Bible studies happening among some members of the team.
It was a story of grown men, athletes, surrendering their life to Christ and being baptized.
And the story was told.
The glory was going to God alone.
The humility of the men on the team was seen by everyone.
It could not be denied; something greater was going on here.
More members of the team came to Christ.
Nothing was being pushed down their throat.
No one could deny that something was happening.
No one could deny that something was very different in these men.
The coach, the quarterback, the backup quarterback and many of the team know the Lord Jesus.
Even though the football machine was turning all around them, they knew their Lord.
They did their best because they were doing it for Him first and then for the city they loved.
The city that has waited and waited for this day for a long time.
None of these men took the credit.
All of the glory, all along the way, went to the Lord Jesus whom they served.
And it was reported.
And the story was told.
In July, 1924, Eric Liddell was Scotland’s fastest runner.
He had a unique running style: head thrown back and his arms waving at his side as he ran.
He was so light on his feet that he barely seemed to be touching the track.
Eric had won every 100 meter race he had run and was a hero in Scotland.
Eric’s speed and his consistent wins won him a spot on the 100-meter British Olympic team.
However, Eric announced that he could not run in the 100 meter race.
The finals were to be held on a Sunday so Eric could not run.
Sunday was a day of worship and rest.
Even if he was his country’s only hope of winning a gold medal, Eric could not run.
The people of Scotland were angry with Eric.
In the meantime, Eric trained and qualified for another race.
It was a 400 meter race and two of the runners had set world records.
Eric was given the worst lane on the day of that race.
However, a note from a trainer that he had kept in his pocket, encouraged Eric.
The note simply said: He who honors Him, He will honor.
As Eric turned the last curve, he expected to see the world record holders ahead of him.
There was no one there.
Eric ran in his unique way, giving it all he had.
Eric was the first to cross the finish line.
Eric won the gold medal.
Eric was not swayed by the praise that was lavished upon him.
He knew that the praise of the world does not last.
Eric knew what he had to do.
Eric announced that he was going to stop running and go to China to tell the people about Jesus.
It has been a wonderful experience to compete in the Olympic Games and to bring home a gold medal. But since I have been a young lad, I have had my eyes on a different prize. You see, each one of us is in a greater race than any I have run in Paris, and this race ends when God gives out the medals. (Eric Liddell)
Eric knew all those years before what the Eagles football team knows today.
The praise of the world will not last.
However, there are words of praise that all believers want to hear one day.
Those words will come from the God they have loved and willingly served their whole lives.
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Matthew 25:23)
This is the difference that was seen in Eric Liddell.
This is the difference that was seen in the Eagles football team.
Many of the players love and serve the Lord Jesus with all their heart.
They desire to make Him known.
They know that all the glory of their success goes to Him alone.
He equipped them with the skill and ability to win football games.
The win was not just for a shiny trophy that will come back to a waiting city.
Rather, it is for a crown that will one day be laid at His feet in a heavenly city.
He who honors Him, He will honor.
The two stories happened because of the one Story that is still being told.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Well done.
Any chance you could find an Eagles website and send this to them. Wonderful message.
Cynthia,
I did send, HEART OF A CHAMPION, to the Philadelphia Eagles through their media relations. I pray that they are blessed. I know that I am blessed by their strong faith, humility, and character. They honored God well.
Gina
How wonderful that the team members were not afraid or ashamed to show their faith! In this world of “political correctness” this is especially noteworthy. This is why I’m so proud of this team: not because they won the game, but that they used their time in the spotlight to share the good news of Jesus Christ!
Agreed, Sue. Many players are unashamedly believers in Jesus. It is so refreshing to see.
Gina