Look—there’s a sign up ahead. You are entering “The Extra Mile” zone; the stopping off place that is good for all of us to visit from time to time and reflect on past occasions when someone refused to close up their bowels of compassion on our behalf. They went the extra mile to help.
What does it mean to go the extra mile? This value was established when Jesus and His disciples were teaching concerning the things of God. In that time the law allowed a Roman soldier to require a person to carry his backpack for a Roman mile, or one thousand paces (1620 yards). No-one liked being forced to do this.
Jesus ministered to the multitudes on a mountain, known today as the Sermon on the Mount. One of the messages addressed going beyond what was expected of us in helping others.
(Matthew 5:41), “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.”
I am sure you can recall a time when a situation put you between a rock and a hard place. We have all been there at some point in life, not knowing which way to turn, with thoughts of running, but inept as to which way to go.
Challenging moments sometimes leave a person aching from the task of reaching up to touch bottom—these are troublesome times. When unsuspecting events try to swallow us up and shake the very foundation of our existence, anxiously we lift our eyes from the quicksand that is sucking us under and peer into the blackness for someone to save us from our dilemma.
About that time, out of no-where, we see the pearly whites of a person smiling as they make their way through the shadows of our darkest hour—someone that cares. Like an angel sent from God, they show up on our “doorstep of trials” just in the nick of time. When things seem to be at its worst, they extend a helping hand.
It may have seemed like a small jester on their part, but to us they were a breath of fresh air; springtime at its best. When we were ready to throw in the towel, this special someone came to our rescue and handed us a lifeline.
What makes an individual want to assist another person; to take time to involve themselves in someone else’s affairs, and go the extra mile? Humanitarian is a word that rings the bell. It is placing one’s self in another person’s shoes or situation, experiencing empathy, rising to the occasion, and standing in the gap where they are needed at a particular time.
The saying, “What goes around comes around” is often the case when doing nice things for others. The one going the extra mile becomes the recipient of a blessing as well—it just works that way.
When we give away from ourselves, something happens inside us. We feel good just knowing that we played an active, positive role in a life that was in need. We are enriched; because we were the one chosen to help and that we answered the call to provide assistance.
When we give away from ourselves, something happens inside us. We feel good just knowing that we played an active, positive role in a life that was in need. We are enriched; because we were the one chosen to help and that we answered the call to provide assistance.
The Bible says: “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17)
The Golden Rule says: “Do unto other’s as you would have them do unto you.” If everyone lived by this principle, peace on earth would prevail.
When you see an opportunity to step through an open door that allows you to go above and beyond the call of duty; to do more than is expected or asked of you to help someone in need, take it, even though there is nothing extra in it for you. When this is done, you have just traveled where few people trod. You have just gone the extra mile.
(1 John 3:18-19), “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” vs.19 “And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.”
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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