RT Session Part 2

I went to camp early yesterday (because I had mistakenly thought that there would be an IPPT test), and was sitting in one corner feeling miserable and sorry for myself and wondering why God was putting me through this when this guy came and sit down beside me.

He was slightly plump, awkward in manner (I would learn later that his name is Andy). I think he was self-conscious because he had some dental problems, so he would cover his mouth when he spoke. He also spoke very hurriedly, and I had to ask him to repeat what he said a few times to understand what he was saying. Anyway, he started telling me about his life – the fact that he was a Poly graduate in Engineering, but had been unable to find a job in that field and was currently working as a waiter. He also shared that he was feeling dejected and useless.

Then, the subject somehow came to religion and I thought, "Maybe God wants me to do some sharing with him?", so I told him a little about Christianity.

I was truly humbled by this incident... I mean, there I was, feeling sorry for myself, and along came God to shown me that there is a purpose in all the things that happen to us, that all things are within His control and plan.

I think I need to clarify something: I am not saying that God used this encounter to show me how fortunate I am compared to Andy because I have a 'proper' job, etc. Rather, He created this opportunity for me to share the gospel, and through the process, made me realize that what was truly missing from Andy’s life was - God. And that’s the only difference between Andy and me – I have Jesus in my life.

And I am humbled and grateful because... Well, God knows I am weak and have no confidence in sharing the gospel with strangers. Yet, He has deemed it fit to create this opportunity for me to do a bit of sharing.

Usually, when asked to consider how God had been good to us (usually during cell group), I would start racking my brains and think back, "Okay, this and this didn’t go wrong, so let’s give thanks for that..."

But being humbled is another thing totally – it’s just this overwhelming feeling that the things which I fret and worry about on a daily basis are really so insignificant... And that the most precious gift anyone can receive is to know God, and that to receive such a gift is really to be blessed beyond measure. It made me realized that while I have learnt to praise, worship and give thanks, I have not known true humility.

It has also moved me to think about the things I have being praying about... Instead of asking "Please pray that presentation will be okay / Please don't let me screw this up too badly / Arrgh - please help me run fast enough, can?", think I should focus on discerning His will for me, having the obedience to submit and the strength to follow through.

Rt Session Part 1 (or First Post of 2006)

I failed my IPPT last year, and had to attend Regimental Training (RT). Basically, I have to turn up at an army camp twice a week (Tuesday 6pm and Sunday 8am) to do additional training. Hopefully, through these sessions, I would be fit enough to pass the IPPT.

The first phase of the RT would consist of 8 sessions, twice weekly, and there would be a test on the 8th session. If you pass the test, you will not need to attend any further training. However, if you fail, you would have to attend Phase 2, which is another 12 sessions (thrice weekly – Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday). Essentially, if you are still unable to pass at the end of the 20th session, the country gives up on you, i.e. no further training required (the cycle repeats itself though when you fail your next IPPT).

The RTs have turned out to be surprisingly… shall we say relaxed? We register out attendance, then sit around for half an hour waiting for the exercise to start. Usually, the session consists of 10 sets of static exercises, which comprise muscle conditioning in the arm (push-ups), abdominal (sit-ups) and leg (squats) region, followed by chin-ups and of course, the 2.4km run.

Because of the recent mishaps (think there were some service men who collapsed while running and passed away), the trainers have adopted a much softer approach. These are not the PT instructors PTI) from our National Service days (when the criterion for being a PTI is that one must be as sadistic as possible), who took pleasure from torturing us. I still remember people throwing up from all the running we were doing, and the PTIs coming round, kicking at us and screaming, "Are you done vomiting yet, you fucking faggot? Do you want to run a few more rounds? Get up now! Get the fuck up right NOW!" and we would be scrambling up with the puke coming out from out mouth.

The trainers at the RT are remarkably nice and encouraging. They say things like, "Try your best, okay? It’s for your own good." They give you a water break every now and then. If you decide that you don’t feel well, they will ask you to rest. If you don’t feel like running, they will ask you to rest. In fact, they treat us so nice generally that we actually feel bad for not trying hard enough. Each session lasts about 2 hours, and at the end of it, the conducting officer will give us a short briefing on the importance of keeping fit.

Still, it was tiring and wearying having to tell my boss weekly that I have to leave the office early because I was too unfit to defend the country, finishing at 9pm in a camp, waking up early on Sunday mornings and then rushing off to church.