As I was praying for my son this morning, a scene from the movie “Chariots of Fire” popped into my head. He has to see that scene!
Since he and his team leave for Wichita tomorrow afternoon, that means that we had to watch it tonight.
Since I didn’t want to wake my wife so early in the morning, I called her after I got to work and asked her if we had the movie. We don’t.
Where am I going to find a 20 year old movie? Today?
A friend at work told me to try the public library. Great idea! They had a copy at the branch near our apartment! I put it on hold.
After work, I ran into the apartment, picked up my library card and went to go pick it up.
“I’m sorry. It is in transit to the Central Library.”
“What do you mean it is in transit? I put it on hold.”
“Yes, but the system has a default setting and you actually told us to send it to the Central Library.”
“Why would I tell you to send it to the Central Library?”
It turns out that there was a drop down box that gives me the option of sending material to whatever branch I want. I never saw it. I was so glad that they had the movie and that I remembered my PIN number!
The last time I checked something out of the library, you had to drive to the branch that had the desired item if you wanted it that day! And, because of my mistake, I ended up doing that…driving to another branch 15 minutes away so we could watch the movie.
I had forgotten how good that movie was!
Oh, yeah, the scene…
Eric Liddle, the son of a missionary to China and a famous rugby player, is telling his sister that he has decided to run the missionary in China…but first, he is going to compete in the 1924 Olympics in France.
She doesn’t understand. She is concerned for the state of his soul. He is leaving God’s work for medals and fame and glory…
and then Eric says, “Jenny, I believe that God made me for a purpose. But He also made me fast…and when I run, I feel His pleasure.”
After the movie, I told my son, “Son, God made you a good wrestler. When you wrestle this weekend, I want you to feel His pleasure.”
He can’t wait till Friday. Neither can I.
