“If someone forces you to go one mile, go . . two.” Matthew 5:41 NIV
“You can be forced to do what you must, but you can choose to do what you should.”
My thoughts today are about “second mile satisfaction.”
There are many things that you do because you want to do them, but that will not always be the case. There will also be times that you will have to do things that you didn’t want to do. They call that employment, or marriage, or life! Probably your parents occasionally required some things like that, or a teacher, or a boss, or someone in authority. There will always be someone who can do that. Sometimes even God does. The reality is that life does not afford you the luxury of always and only doing what you would like to do.
You can wait until you are forced to do what you must, or you can choose to do what you should. You may not feel like doing so at first, but you always have the power to decide to do so anyway, with or without accompanying emotions. When you choose, you free yourself to go above and beyond what could be required of you.
Personal satisfaction is only found way past the first mile marker – and isn’t that the greatest reward? – where resentment, anger, and half-hearted efforts are left behind. Do what you see needs to be done before being asked. Do more when you are asked. Don’t indulge doing good enough; do your best. Don’t give the minimum; give your maximum.
In fact, it is likely you will learn more and grow most when you have to do something you didn’t want to do. How much you learn and how much you grow may well depend upon the attitude with which you do that. You can spot people who have chosen the lifestyle of going the second mile happily; they seldom wait to be asked, always do more than is required, seem to continually have a smile on their face, a bounce in their step, a happy heart, and lots of friends.
When Jesus spoke of turning your cheek, and giving your coat, and going the second mile, it sounded as foreign to his audience then as it does to you today. Israel was a conquered nation, unwilling subjects to the occupying army of Caesar and his mighty Roman Empire. By law the army could demand that any Jewish citizen carry their gear for one mile.
They had no option, no appeal or recourse except to comply. They didn’t have to like it; they just had to do it, probably resenting and mentally counting down every step they had to take. Can you imagine the foot dragging and muttering?
But Jesus knows that willingly taking the second mile initiative is your path to freedom. Someone else can make you a slave, but you alone can choose to become a servant. See Luke 6:27-36 NLT. And tucked right there in the middle of Luke’s words, you will find the Golden Rule, “Do for others as you would like them to do for you.” vs. 31. That’s really the heart of the matter, isn’t it? Why is it easier to expect more of others than we usually demand of ourselves?
Following the Passover meal in the Upper Room, Jesus prayed to the Father saying, “I have completed the work You gave Me to do.” John 17:4 NIV. It would appear that Calvary was the second mile of obedience, above and beyond what the Father had required of His Son. Here’s how the Bible explains this, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus . . who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the Father.” Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV. Let Jesus be your example. “Christ . . leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21-25 NIV.
My prayer for you is this: in life, give your maximum; never allow yourself the minimum.