The Chariots Of Fire

Dr. Thamsing Lamkang *

The film "Chariots of Fire" is one of my favorite movies of all time! I love the story-line that develops from different motivational forces of the Olympic runners during the early 19th Century. On one side there is Eric Liddell, running for the Glory of God; "God made me for a purpose… but He also made me fast, and when I run I feel His pleasure!" On the other side is Harold Abrahams, trying to reach the top and running for himself, for his own pleasure, glory and achievement!

Liddell, a devout believer in God did everything in his life to glorify God, including his running ability and skills. He raced with his head up, eyes fixed above, appearing to not even know where he was going. 'He ran, like he lived, by faith'. "Eric broke every possible rules of style, with his head right back, his knees well up and arms all over the place". But "my goodness, what a spiritual power" said Harold Abrahams, who competed with Liddell in the 200m at the 'Paris Olympic Games'. Liddell is also remembered for his faith life, a strong believer in the Lord. He quit running the race due for Sunday, because "Sunday is the 'Lord's Day' and meant only for the Lord!"

The ending for each winner is well known and remembered till these days in sporting history and the church history in China. At the age of 43, Eric Liddell was a Missionary, died of brain tumor inside the Japanese prison camp in China; all Scotland, the world of sports and the Christian world whoever knows him, all mourned! Harold Abrahams is visited by disillusionment, and although he dies an old man, but he wonders with life bitterness. What was the meaning of his life? What about yours? "Then I realized how bitter I had become, how pained I had been by all I had seen" Psalm 73: 21.

Bitterness is one of the emotions that bring about bondage in a person. When you have bitterness, for whatever reason, you don't act or react as you would normally do. Bitterness govern all your being, especially in your leadership position in 'making and taking' all the wrong decisions that affects the society more than it causes you actually!

It is good to feel regret of our past life. If we have done something wrong and our conscience alerts us, showing us that we are taking wrong turn. The awareness comes over us that we have made a mistake. We may want to turn the clock back and change the situation but gone-is-gone. There is regret for what we have cause to the society. This is usually not a complete solution, but this sensation teaches us to make good decisions by asking forgiveness of those we have hurt, and rectify it as much as we are able to do so.

However, when bitterness appears, in a very high percentage of situations, it is because of the mistaken motives. Such as envy, pride, injustice, anger and misunderstandings! These are some of the roots which produce bitterness in life; and it gives rise to a strange phenomenon. "When we're in leadership position this bitterness binds our hearts and restricts our natural abilities". Emotionally, we are not on the same form as before, neither are we the same spiritually. We are in what is called an 'embittered state' and while we harbor all this within us, we are practically-speaking of "no use to anyone except destructions, to follow our own evil desires!"

In the secular world many will know from their own experiences, because we've been through it on many occasions. What we may not recognize so easily is that when our bitterness dominates us we are 'sinning against God and do things against others'. It's that simple! When we are hurt, we tend to lay the blame on others and we are the first to respond badly. The devil easily influences all your thoughts and all your decisions to be a "killjoys" and to be destructive in all your attitudes!

It is good to ask questions, but don't put them before God as a reason for not believing in Him. It is good to be concern about the evil desires in the world, and in our lives, but don't let it embitter your life or others near you. The only way to remove is to forgive those who you think are the responsible people! "It may not be for what the person or group deserves, but God deserved your forgiveness to others, just the way He had forgiven your own sin".

Let everyone, especially who are for the cause, to let-go all past bitterness, off your heart and mind, to God! If you do so, for sure, the people will applause your dignity and a sacrificial service towards your cause, and moreover, God will be happy for you! May the Peace of God prevail to those who forgive! The last but not the least, "as you fight for the cause; don't neglect your Eternal Cause!"

God Bless you!