CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY JULY 26, 2024
THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN POLITICS. TAKE THE PARIS OLYMPICS.
I WANT TO RECALL ANOTHER PARIS OLYMPICS, THE ONE IN 1924 MADE FAMOUS BY THE FILM, “CHARIOTS OF FIRE.” SCOTTISH RUNNER ERIC LIDDELL REFUSED TO RUN ON SUNDAY TO KEEP THE SABBATH. INSTEAD OF THE 100 METRE RACE FOR WHICH HE HAD TRAINED, HE RAN THE 400 METRE RACE AND WON. HIS STORY MADE HEADLINES AROUND THE WORLD. SOME THOUGHT HIM A FANATIC, MANY OTHERS SAW HIS DEEP COMMITMENT TO CHRIST.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE LINES IN THE MOVIE, WHICH WON BEST PICTURE: “I BELIEVE GOD MADE ME FOR A PRUPOSE, BUT HE ALSO MADE ME FAST AND WHEN I RUN I FEEL HIS PLEASURE.”
AND ERIC’S FATHER: “RUN LIKE THE WIND AND LET THE WORLD STAND BACK AND MARVEL.”
HE DID AND THOSE OF US WHO LOVE THAT FILM – I’VE SEEN IN 26 TIMES—STILL MARVEL.
LIDDELL WENT TO CHINA AND AFTER JAPAN’S INVASION WAS SENT TO AN INTERNMENT CAMP. HE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT SUFFERING AND HIS LIFE WHICH ENDED THERE. HE PUT FELLOW PRISONERS BEFORE HIMSELF WHICH WAS A WITNESS IN ITSELF.
IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN “CHARIOTS OF FIRE” THIS WOULD BE AN IDEAL TIME. IF YOU HAVE, WATCH IT AGAIN. IT WILL INSPIRE YOU. I’M CAL THOMAS.
