Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. I Corinthians 9:24
The Greeks celebrated physical achievements; here, the Greek-speaking St Paul draws on that cultural tradition for a metaphor for the Christian life. English poets seem drawn to the alliterative possibilities of ‘race’ and ‘run’. Wordsworth describes how the watchful sun marks the diurnal patterns of our passing life – years: ‘another race hath been, and other palms are won’ (‘Ode: Intimations of Immortality (1802-04), l. 199). Many people will also remember J. Mansell’s exhortation to ‘Run the straight race through God’s good grace’ from the Victorian hymn ‘Fight the Good Fight’ (English Hymnal, 389)
Another cracking hymn from my childhood.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of all those lives lost in WW1 by courageous men who sought to lead/follow into the unknown.
May we not forget their gift to us.