Someone wrote “Theodore Roosevelt’s life shows us that hard work, tenacity, and a desire to do the right thing can get you far in life.”
In his “Citizenship in a Republic” speech, Roosevelt captured his life philosophy. “The Man in the Arena” tells us that the man we should praise is the man who’s out there fighting the big battles, even if those battles end in defeat. Today, when cynicism and aloof detachment are considered the "norm", TR's insights reminds us that glory and honor come to those “who spend themselves in a worthy cause.” |
TR gave that speech at the Sorbonne in Paris, France on April 23, 1910. Now roll forward 14 years later to Paris that was in the grip of a heat wave during the 1924 Summer Olympics. For runner Eric Liddell, heat was the least of his concerns. His best event, the 100 meter had been scheduled for a Sunday. He withdrew because he didn’t want to run on the Lord’s Day. He then set his sights on the up coming 400 meter race instead. |
In the dressing room before the event, the masseur handed Eric a folded paper. On it were these brief words . . . 1 Samuel 2:30: “Those who honor Me, I will honor.” Inspired by those words, that day Eric Liddell broke the existing world record and won the gold medal. So what say you – are you ready to do better? |