Chariots Of Fire

Tonight our LivingRoom group watched the film "Chariots of Fire" at Tim & Suse's place together. The film tells the true story of two UK track athletes, one a determined Jew, and the other a devout Christian who compete in the 1924 Olympics. Eric Liddell, a missionary in China, who runs because he believes it glorifies God (he said, "I believe God made me for a purpose in China, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.") . Harold Abrahams is a Jew who competes as a way of proving his worth, and he always wants to win (he said, "if I can't win, I won't race"). Both are driven by an inner fire, and yet respect their rivals. This film traces Eric and Harold's paths to the Paris games, where their motivation and character development are portrayed. Yes, it's important to know that Abrahams and Lidell win, but the real theme of the story is contained in what leads up to the races.

Chariots of fire highlights such commendable qualities as commitment, perseverance, and fraternity. The characters were believable. In fact, to a certain extent, I could see myself in (and identify myself with) both Eric and Harold (although I am not a sporty person, or a man for that matter). I appreciated this movie as it gave me a more understanding of human nature, and my own weeknesses and frailty. And the theme of using your gifts to glorify God even if other people around you don't want you to, was wonderful. It spoke to me as a Christian struggling to do what I believe God has led and gifted me to do, in my world. I was encouraged by Eric Liddell's faithfulness to his God, his family, his country, and his friends. And in the end he triumphs by tapping that reservoir of inner strength from God that sustains him.