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Eric Liddell MonologueThis Eric Liddell monologue should be done by an actor who can do a Scottish accent. He can be dressed in running clothes and should jog in as his entrance. ERIC: Aye, what a grand day for a run. Indeed every day is befitting for a run. I’m Eric Liddell and glad I am to be here. Running has been a part of my life since I was a lad. It was God who gave me the gift of speed, and it was for his glory that I used the gift. I was born in a village of Siao Chang (Shahw-chung) in Northern China in 1902. Here my brother, sister and I had free run of the missionary camp. Plenty of room for races and games. When I was five, we all visited our native Scotland, on the other side of the world. There I met my grandparents and had a grand holiday. But when the family packed for China again, my brother Robert and I were not with them. We were to stay and attend school in London. Aye, it was hard. How I did cling to my brother then - and let him do the talking for both of us. I was so shy a lad they called me “The Mouse.” But there, at school, I discovered my feet - and how fast they could move! By the time I was 16 years old, Robert and I were the school’s top athletes. In my first year at the university, I raced against the best runner in Britain. And lost - by one inch. I don’t like to be beaten. And I wasn't ever again. From then on, I won every race I entered. I ran as fast as I could for the first half of the race, then asked God to help me run even faster for the second half! But something far greater happened at school - inside (pats his heart). All my life, I didn’t talk much about my faith in God. Oh, I went to church and read my Bible every day, but I wasn't comfortable talking about Jesus. Then, when I was 20 I agreed to speak at a gospel meeting. Ye see now, I was no preacher. Not clever. Not stylish. I just told how I’d come to see God - and trust God in every day things. Well, other groups asked me to speak . And more and more. Lost my shyness jolly quick. And, do ye know, the more I spoke up for God, the faster I ran. Then came the Olympics - and it put my faith to the test. My best race, the 100 meter was to be run on a Sunday. A Sunday! I’d never run on a Sunday; that was a special day unto the Lord. So I told them, I will not run. Many were angry; said I dishonored Scotland by tossing away a gold. But God says, “He who honors me, I will honor”. Instead, a few days later I ran the 200 meter and the 400 meter races and won a medal in each. One day I was a coward and traitor, the next, a national hero! It was wonderful to compete in the Olympics and to bring home gold medals for Scotland. But since I was a lad, I’ve had my eyes on a different prize. Each of us is in a greater race than any I have run, and this race ends when God gives out the medals. It had always been my hope to be a missionary. So I returned to China and to Siao Chang, the village of my birth. God sent me there to encourage the Chinese, one by one, in the love of Christ. Some say, “Are ye glad you gave your life to missionary work?” Aye. I never had such joy! A fellow’s life counts for far more doing this than anything else he can choose. We strive not for an earthly crown, but a heavenly one, ye know. (runs off) Return from Eric Liddell Monologue to Monologues |
