“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles” (Matthew 5:41, NIV)
The gist of the passage is that back in ye olden Bible times, a Roman soldier could conscript anyone to carry his gear for up to one mile. Many Jewish people would put a marker exactly one mile from their houses so they would know precisely how much they were required to do.
Remember Simon of Cyrene? The Roman soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross, probably based on this idea.
But pay attention to Jesus’ own words.
If anyone asks you to go one mile, go two. In other words, do above and beyond what is expected of you.
So the question that I heard today is the one I now pose to you: what is your second mile?
How can you serve where you’re planted in a way that goes beyond the minimum requirement?
It’s not necessarily about doing more, but about how you do what you’re doing. It’s all about your attitude.
Where you are, what you are doing, is your ministry, whether it’s in a church building or a seminary or a classroom or in a grocery store or in your own home.
I think the Apostle Paul nailed it when he said this: “Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work” (Colossians 3:22-25, The Message).
That goes for any sphere of life for wherever you live,work, play, and serve.
Do it all as if you were doing it directly for Jesus Himself.
See everyone you meet as possibly Jesus in disguise and treat them like you would treat Him if you knew He was standing right in front of you.