Saturday 4 May 2024

Made For A Purpose



At the beginning of 2024, I was approached by a lovely man called Michael Andrews who is the Senior Music Minister of All Souls Church in central London. He wanted to speak to me in regards to the Prom Praise event he would be leading and conducting later that year in May.

I had worked with Michael on a couple of productions in the past and he heard me share one of my poems at a Christmas concert in 2023 so asked if he could commission me to write a poem for Prom Praise. I was over the moon to receive this request as each year, Prom Praise is performed at the prestigious and world-famous venue called the Royal Albert Hall so I instantly knew this was quite the honour!

That particular year would mark the 100th anniversary of Eric Liddell’s Olympic gold medal win for the 400 meter sprint in Paris. Liddell, who was a Scottish athlete and steadfast Christian, made a huge impact on those around him and the story of his unwavering faith was brought to the silver screen in 1981 with the Oscar-winning film, “Chariots Of Fire.” Michael went on to explain to me that the theme for Prom Praise 2024 would be centred on Liddell’s admirable Christian morals and how he used his God-given gifts to honour his Saviour throughout his life.

I was given a brief outline of Michael’s vision for what he wanted the poem to capture and a time limit of a minute and a half to say it in. Talk about a challenge! I started off by praying to the Author of all things for inspiration, before going on to watch the film to get some ideas. I was soon blown away by the beautifully written script and felt that the dialogue was poetry in itself. The superb performance from Ian Charleson, who played Liddell in the film, was completely breathtaking and I could see why he won an award for his portrayal of this role.

Within a couple of hours of watching “Chariots Of Fire” I had written my poem, “Made For A Purpose” and thank the Lord, Michael loved it! My husband Jan and I had the privilege of watching Prom Praise, live from our box seats that evening in May and it will certainly be a night I remember for the rest of my life.

I hope and pray that these words can help Liddell’s inspiring outlook on life continue to live on and motivate each of us to use our unique gifts to bring pleasure to our awesome Saviour. Praises to the One who made each of us for a purpose!

I believe that God made me for a purpose. When I run, I feel His pleasure.
Using the skills that are gifted to me is something my Saviour will treasure.
Running is hard, takes strength of the soul and requires the strongest of will,
Yet with every stride He’s driving me on, His purposes yet to fulfil.

The buzz of the crowd, the rush of the air, the pound of my heart in my chest,
They speak to my soul, “Give God your all and give nothing less than your best.”
God does not weary nor does He faint so though every muscle may tire,
He shall renew those who wait upon Him. So run! For there’s no purpose higher!

The Kingdom of God is deep in your heart, commit every effort to Him.
To win is to honour the King of all kings, His power will come from within.
Run with endurance, run straight and true, look not to things that are past.
Set your sights firm on the prize up ahead for this vict’ry is one that will last.



Isaiah 40:28-31
“Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.”

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

Colossians 3:23-24
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”


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