How then shall we run?

"Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win." (NLT) 1 Corinthians 9:24

"How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony!" (NLT) Psalms 133:1

With these 2 seemingly paradoxical passages of scripture, my question is: how to run together if everyone runs at a different pace?

Several weeks ago, I went jogging with my brother at Bedok Reservoir. My brother who's male and fresh from NS vs me who sits around the office and stares at the computer all day long. Who do u think runs faster?

So after a while, I paiseh-edly asked my brother to go ahead without me and I will see him at the end.

This sparked off a whole series of questions as to how people run in the army. Does everyone run together? If they do, then whose pace do they run at? If they don't then how to sing songs (cos I always imagine them singing strange songs about loving Singapore and also to build camaradarie)?

If u're wondering the same thing (I think u must be a girl, either that or young boy), the answer is as follows: in the army, some run fast and some run slow. There will usually be one super fast runner who will run to the end first. Then come back and run, pace and encourage the next one behind. Then when they reach the end, they will run back and encourage the next in line. And it goes on and on till everyone finishes the race. Together.


When I learned this lesson from my brother, I wanted to blog it. But I couldn't find the words. Today I realized why. The ultimate revelation I received during service today is this: Jesus did the same. He is our forerunner. Yet He ran back to get us. The Son of God became the Son of Man so that we can run on the same track. Together.

So.. how then shall we run?

For those who run fast, let us be diligent and humble enough to run back.

For those who run slow, let us be wise and humble enough to receive help.

(For those with the inquisitive boliao minds like me: yes the army boys do start off singing songs but along the way, they stop. I also asked if the last person runs alone, what happens? Will usually end up walking. I had a barrage of questions but I shall not indulge the full extent of my boliao-ness.)