“whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God…” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

In the movie Chariots of Fire Eric Liddell is a fast runner. He wants to honour God as a missionary, but he also wants to run.

There’s a scene where he explains to his sister that he will go to China as a missionary, but he first needs to compete in the 1924 Olympics. She seems disappointed, so he offers this explanation:

“Jennie, you’ve got to understand: I believe that God made me for a purpose—for China, but he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel his pleasure.”*

I love that. It makes me think about faith. Here’s the connection. When we live in the ways that God designed us to live, we too can feel his pleasure. 

We were made to glorify God. We were made to love others. We were given spiritual gifts so that we could bless others for the common good.

We all have good days and bad days. Life is a combination of victories, failures and in-betweens. But at the end of the day when we put our head on our pillows, and when we feel a deep inner satisfaction, it’s often because we have said or done something that is consistent with how God has designed us. 

It is feeling God’s pleasure.

May you worship, love your neighbour, serve others, grow in holiness, understand truth, and demonstrate integrity for the glory of God.

And as you do so, may you feel God’s pleasure as the person he designed you to be.

---

Notes:

–“Spiritual Gifts 102: How do I know what gift(s) I have?” Sermon. January 21, 2024. Click here.

–*Chariots of Fire was released in 1981 by Allied Stars and Enigma Productions. It was directed by Hugh Hudson, written by Colin Welland and produced by David Puttnam.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.