The Second Mile

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

“Serve . . with gladness.” Psalm 100:2 NKJV

“When you serve grudgingly and unhappily, every task is harder.”

My thoughts today are about “the second mile.”

Have you ever watched a person doing a chore that all too clearly they did not want to do? Have you ever done that? I guess we all have at some point. Frequently, you will be expected or required to do something because you have to, not because you want to. That’s the way life works. It is best to remember that the attitude with which serve is as important as what you do. When you serve grudgingly and unhappily, every task is harder. The work might still get done, but never as well and never with reward.

Jesus confronted the attitude that chooses only to do what it wants, when it wants. His cure for such an attitude is “going the second mile.” You know what that means; going the second mile describes a person’s willingness to do more than the minimum required. Going the first mile is merely doing what you must; going the second mile is choosing to do what you can and should. You won’t do that unless you can do so gladly. Do only the minimum and you will never be happy with what you did. If you are going to serve anyway, why not find a way to have a good time doing it?

In the political culture of Palestine under military occupation, a Roman soldier could require any Hebrew male to carry his gear for a mile. That person was legally required to do so. They did not have to like it, but they did have to do it. Jesus elevated a person’s response well past grudging compliance to the level of joyful service. Jesus taught, “If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other too. If you are ordered to court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.” Matthew 5:39-41 NLT. By gladly doing more than anyone could make you do, you discover the real freedom and joy of serving.

The Psalmist wrote, “Serve the Lord with gladness.” Psalm 100:4 NKJV. I have to stop and check my heart and recognize that I endeavor to serve the Lord, but do I always do it gladly? Are there not times that I serve Him because I should, but without the joy of doing so? I don’t want that to be the case, but I imagine that at times it has been.

May I suggest an even more practical application for today’s verse, and let it read this way: “Serve . . with gladness.” Whose name would you need to insert there – my spouse, my family, my friends, my employer, the stranger, the less fortunate, or the difficult to please? For if you do not serve others gladly, can you be said to truly be serving the Lord with gladness? Paul addressed the inseparability of serving both God and others. “Work hard and cheerfully ay whatever you do, as though you are working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 NLT.

My prayer for you today is that you will always find heart for going the second mile.