This devotional was taken from Sports Spectrum’s latest Training Table, a 13-week devotional published in each print issue. Log in HERE to view the Spring 2016 print issue of Sports Spectrum or access the Spring 2016 Training Table.
“My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a powerful demonstration by the Spirit, so that your faith might not be based on men’s wisdom but on God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
Eric Liddell, former Olympic runner, received national attention in Paris when, in the 1924 Summer Olympics, he refused to run the 100-meter race—his best event—because it was set to take place on a Sunday. Liddell was a devout Christian and was determined to put God and his faith in front of his career as a runner.
Liddell went on not only to win, but also set the Olympic and world record in the 400-meter race later on in those Summer Olympics with a time of 47.6 seconds. After the race, Liddell described his running strategy:
“The secret of my success over the 400-meter is that I run the first 200 meters as fast as I can. Then, for the second 200 meters, with God’s help I run faster.”
The sooner we realize that true power doesn’t come from ourselves but from God, the sooner God’s true power will be shown through us. In his missionary trip to Corinth, Paul realized that it was not his eloquent speech that convinced the Corinthians of the truth of the gospel, but it was the power of Christ working through Paul’s weakness.
May we try not only to rely on our own abilities in living out God’s will for our lives. We need Christ, our Savior, and as soon as we recognize that, we then open up the door for Him to work through us so people may know His name and His power.
By Kevin Horner
