Going the extra mile
I’ve heard that the most important part of a workout or run is the last 10%. The bit where you push that bit harder or go that little bit further. That is where the growth happens in your muscle tissue or lung capacity. That’s why it’s helpful to have a buddy or a personal trainer motivating you to go through the pain barrier.
Jesus addressed this issue in life during one of His first major teachings.
He had gathered a crowd around and he started to speak on life change and raising the current standards of morality. It was midway through this discourse that He told His followers
“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” Matthew 5:41 (NIV).
If you’re not a follower of Jesus please feel free to use this principle at your own leisure but if you are a Jesus follower this should be a way of life.
Jesus didn’t suggest this.
We see this principle at work all the time in business. There are a few really great examples of businesses going the ‘extra mile’ in terms of service.
For the religious ‘Going the mile’ is obligatory, but going the extra mile is voluntary.
I mean the religious will give of their tithe to the penny yet not donate to another worthy person. The religious will keep their obligations through duty, yet not give any extra of their time to a boss or colleague. The religious will consider just making it to church as good enough and not get involved with serving others.
Because;
Going the extra mile, means cranking up the effort dial
A story from the old testament of the Bible really highlights the kind of heart and attitude followers of Jesus ought to exhibit.
2 Samuel 23
13 During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 15 David longed for water and said, ‘Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!’ 16 So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. 17 ‘Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!’ he said. ‘Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?’ And David would not drink it.
Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.
Doing this act of daring was not a one off for these men. See the plural on exploits! They displayed absolute courage breaking through enemy lines for a glass of water for their leader. That must have been some good water!
How far are you willing to go in order to show your reverence and commitment to God?
We’ve all been the recipients of some extraordinary service and I’m sure you really appreciate it when you receive the effort of someone going the extra mile for you. What kind of community would we be if we were known for taking the time and effort to make someone else’s moment special?
Going the extra mile, means cranking up the effort dial!
Go and make the effort to make someone’s day.
Someone you know, someone you don’t!
Write a note, send a gift, clean a home or simply hold the door open for someone on the way out. For me I’m gonna make extra dinners and freeze them for new parents struggling at mealtimes.
What will you do?
