Wikipedia explains: Chariots of Fire is a 1981 British film. It tells the fact-based story of two athletes in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell, a devout ScottishChristian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, an English Jew who runs to overcome prejudice.
The film was written by Colin Welland and directed by Hugh Hudson. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won four, including Best Picture. It is ranked 19th in the British Film Institute's list of Top 100 British films.
The film's title was inspired by the line, "Bring me my chariot of fire," from the William Blake poem adapted into the popular British hymnJerusalem; the hymn is heard at the end of the film.[1] The original phrase "chariot(s) of fire" is from 2 Kings 2:11 and 2 Kings 6:17 in the Bible.
The film's title was inspired by the line, "Bring me my chariot of fire," from the William Blake poem adapted into the popular British hymnJerusalem; the hymn is heard at the end of the film.[1] The original phrase "chariot(s) of fire" is from 2 Kings 2:11 and 2 Kings 6:17 in the Bible.
I was familiar with the 2 Kings 6:17 reference about "chariots of fire" but didn't quite understand the correlation. However, that night, when I saw the other scripture reference for "chariots of fire" I checked it out and it all 'clicked' for me.
2 Kings 2:11 (New International Version) As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
The Old Testament story tells of Elijah & Elisha and their time together and how it ended, here in verse 11.
The movie Chariots of Fire is similar to the 2 Kings story. It is about two individual men, with the same talent for running whose lives only run parallel for a brief period in time. One is Harold Abrahams who is Jewish and feels he has something to prove with his speed. The other is Eric Liddell who is a Christian Scot who only runs for the pleasure of his Creator. It is a pure pleasure without inhibition or obligation.
It made me consider how I run this race called life. Do I run out of obligation? Do I run with pleasure? Do I run without inhibition? Do I run for the pleasure of My Creator?
I think at times, I run out of obligation. At other times I do run with pleasure.... mine and at other times, hopefully, My Creator's. However, I question if I ever run this race called life without inhibition.
This summer I've taken a real look in the proverbial mirror at myself, more emotionally than physically; although, I've done that too. I'm beginning to see things which I've never seen before. One of the realizations having to do with PASSION... Running without inhibition... A commitment to convictions.
I am impressed when I see someone display passion for something or someone. There is no doubt, no question about what motivates and drives their life. It has moved me to question my own life, my desires, my motivations. Is there passion there? Can someone else see ME running without inhibition, with a passion for one solitary thing?
It made me consider how I run this race called life. Do I run out of obligation? Do I run with pleasure? Do I run without inhibition? Do I run for the pleasure of My Creator?
I think at times, I run out of obligation. At other times I do run with pleasure.... mine and at other times, hopefully, My Creator's. However, I question if I ever run this race called life without inhibition.
This summer I've taken a real look in the proverbial mirror at myself, more emotionally than physically; although, I've done that too. I'm beginning to see things which I've never seen before. One of the realizations having to do with PASSION... Running without inhibition... A commitment to convictions.
I am impressed when I see someone display passion for something or someone. There is no doubt, no question about what motivates and drives their life. It has moved me to question my own life, my desires, my motivations. Is there passion there? Can someone else see ME running without inhibition, with a passion for one solitary thing?
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