Songsmith Music

The Dilemma at the 1924 Olympics

Regarded as one of the fastest men on Earth at the time, Liddell qualified for the 1924 Olympics in Paris and an excited Scotland pinned its hopes on him to win the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal. However, a moral dilemma arose: the time trials for his event were scheduled on a Sunday. As a devout Christian, Liddell would not run on the Sabbath, a decision that led some to call him a traitor to his country. But Eric stood firm in his beliefs.

 

Remarkably, another Scotsman offered to let Liddell take his place in the 400-meter race, a race in which he had little experience and even less expectation of winning. But Eric, driven by his
faith, accepted the challenge—and to the astonishment of everyone, not only did he win the race, but he set a new world record!

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Following His True Calling
Despite his victory and newfound fame, Liddell knew that his ultimate calling wasn’t in sports—it was to share the love of Jesus. After the Olympics, he returned to China to continue the work his parents had started as missionaries. His heart was set on spreading the message of
Christ to those in need. As he prepared to leave Scotland for China, a crowd gathered at the train station to bid him farewell. In that moment, Eric Liddell famously declared, "Christ for the world, for the world needs Christ!"

 

​​Following His True Calling
Despite his victory and newfound fame, Liddell knew that his ultimate calling wasn’t in sports—it was to share the love of Jesus. After the Olympics, he returned to China to continue the work his parents had started as missionaries. His heart was set on spreading the message of
Christ to those in need. As he prepared to leave Scotland, a crowd gathered at the train station to bid him farewell and it was in that moment, he famously declared, "Christ for the world, for the world needs Christ!" 

 

The Inspiration for the Song
When I read those words, my heart was stirred and it was clear to me that this message needed to be shared in a new way, through song. A song that would remind us all of the importance of standing firm in our beliefs, of living lives of integrity, and of remembering that Christ is the answer for the world’s every need.
 

In the Bible, John 3:16 reminds us of the greatest gift ever given: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” This is the heart of the gospel message and what I wanted to convey through the song.
 

A Message of Hope
Eric Liddell’s story is an inspiring testament to the power of faith. His courage to stand firm in his convictions, even when faced with adversity, is a reminder to us all that we are called to live for Christ with purpose and integrity. Eric's life was a living declaration of the truth that Christ loves us and is for us, and that message is as relevant today as it was back then.

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God bless you and thank you for listening! 

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