Second Mile

Matthew 5:41-42

My devotion this morning was interesting.  I hadn't heard of the society of the second mile before. It is an interesting concept and one that many people do without noticing.


My devotional Live Loved, by Max Lucado says this...

Roman soldiers could legally coerce Jewish citizens into carrying their load for one mile.  With nothing more than a command, they could requisition a farmer out of his fields or a merchant out of his shop.  

In such a case, Jesus said, "give more than requested".  Go two.  At the end of one mile, keep going.  Surprise the sandals off the soldier by saying, "I haven't done enough for you.  I'm going a second mile."  Do more than demanded and do so with joy and grace!


When asked to do something for someone else, we fulfill the obligation as requested, but not with a joyful or  loving heart.  We find ourselves obligated rather than happy to do so.  Why is that?  For many reasons I would imagine.  Perhaps what we've been asked to do isn't something we enjoy.  Maybe we don't have time in our busy lives to help someone with a daunting task.  Perhaps the "favor" we've been asked isn't one of convenience.  Whatever the reason, we either say "no thank you" or we agree with a heavy heart.

What if...when asked to help someone, we did so with a joyful heart?

What if...when agreeing to help someone, we did more than we agreed to do?

What if...someone went the extra mile for us?

How would that feel in our own lives?  Has anyone ever gone above and beyond for you?  It is an amazing feeling to be loved by someone so much that they'd do more than you ask them to do.  And we have the opportunity to do this for others.  It doesn't have to be much.  It can be making a phone call rather than sending a text.  Taking time to pick up the phone and have a conversation with someone about something important in their life can be more heartfelt than a one second text that says...I remembered.  It can be staying late after a gathering to help the hostess put things away.  It is one thing to attend a function or gathering that someone hosts, but to stay and help clean can be the second mile.  Many things we do in life can become our second mile, if we give of ourselves expecting nothing in return.

Making the decision to go a mile for someone is awesome.  Putting someone else's  needs before your own is the first step.  We are to live a life with a servant attitude.  For those who cannot do for themselves...and even for those who can...what can we do to help?  And then...what else can we do?

Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3