Skip to main content

The Second Mile of Discipleship


Littered along the Calvary road will lie the skeletons of our egos, the corpses of our fantasies of control, and the shards of self-righteousness, self-indignant spirituality, and unfreedom. (Brennan Manning, The Signature of Jesus)


Are you ready to take the next step? The step of faith bridging the chasm between knowledge and experience (as Manning calls it)? Are you ready to take up the cross and let the things of this world die away that only Christ may remain?

The teaching of the sermon on the mount is not - Do your duty, but - Do what is not your duty. It is not your duty to go the second mile, to turn the other cheek, but Jesus says if we are His disciples we shall always do these things. (Oswald Chambers)


I wonder how many of us know what it means to go the second mile. I'm not sure I do. Isobel Kuhn, who was a missionary in China, knew the second mile well.

Giving up her comforts to live in truly remote villages --- sounds radical to me.

Walking miles upon miles each day to reach a remote village where they could share the gospel --- sounds radical to me.

Reaching a town of rest only to be invited to a wedding celebration for hours upon end, while her little three year old daughter was passed from person to person --- sounds radical to me.

Speaking, at every opportunity, of Christ's sacrifice and redeeming power to a people who knew only bondage and fear --- sounds radical to me.

But, she says, this was only the first mile. The second mile was to come.

As she lay her head upon her pillow that night (thoroughly exhausted, I'm sure), she heard some girls coming up the stairs to her room. She could not hide for long as there were no doors in these rooms (sounds pretty radical again). And yet, she hoped her silence would dissuade them from entering.

The girls had heard her speaking of Jesus and wanted to know more. Finally, Isobel got up and shared the gospel with these girls despite her fatigue. This was the second mile - her obedience brought three more lives into the kingdom of heaven. All day she had labored, but the fruit of her labors would not be seen until she went the second mile.

Her story has inspired me to be willing to go that extra mile. At the end of a day in my normal, well cushioned life, I am exhausted and find it difficult to give any more of myself. And yet, God is asking me to give Him one more mile for His glory.

Tonight, it might be a phone call of encouragement. Tomorrow night it may be a Bible story past bedtime. Whatever it is, I want to be willing.

Comments

The Olson's: said…
The second mile - it's not easy.

I often find myself shoo-ing the kids off to bed just so I can relax. But what about that extra snuggle, the opportunity for hearing important things from my kids...?!

Thank you for sharing.
~ Leanne
Denise said…
Enjoyed this, thanks.
Tami said…
Mmmm. . .thanks for a good kick in the pants, Heather. I needed to read this.
Lelia Chealey said…
Oh great stuff Heather. So real & just what my heart needed to hear this morning...I just need to be obedient.
lori said…
You know it IS HIS race...and we have the choice..stop after that first mile or be willing to RUN on...

Have you seen The Second Mile by Mike Haman....it's AMAZING...it's EXACTLY what you are talking about here...I just read it and it's a life changer!

I'm sensing a THEME here in my life...
lacing my sneakers up as I type!
Thanks for the motivation Heather!
hugs,
lori

Popular posts from this blog

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Phillip Yancey

Shannon, at Rocks in my Dryer , is hosting a huge giveaway! Isn't that exciting! I love to give something meaningful to my friends - as I shop, I always look for just the right item that fits our relationship and the individual's personality. So, if you stop by this little blog of mine, I think you might like this gift I've picked out. This fall, I have been nourished by the wisdom of Phillip Yancey in his recent book on prayer. Our Bible study has plumbed the depths of prayer with Yancey's help in this amazing book. My personal prayer life has been challenged and I have probed the deeper questions surrounding prayer with a beloved mentor. I would love for you to enjoy this book too. I'll be giving the book away to one blessed commenter. So, leave a comment here and I'll be drawing a name next week to give away this treasure box full of well-mined jewels from God's Word and life's experiences. Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered in the draw

Thankful Thursday

A few things that fill my heart with gratitude... *Bright explosions in the sky *Bug repellent *Calamine and band aids for when we forget about the bug repellent (and the polka dot girl I put to bed each night whose sensitive skin seems to attract the little suckers) *Days spent at the beach *Life jackets *Aloe, although it can't take away a lobster red sunburn, it does soothe *Photographs and memories *The public library. My family has been enjoying plenty of summer library programs. *Ok, I'm even thankful for cockroaches. The kids sure had fun playing with the huge ones the "Bug Guy" Brought in for the last program we attended. They even ate a few bugs. (I am NOT joking!) I, on the other hand, found it conveniently necessary to excuse myself to the restroom right around the time the roaches and tarantulas were being brought out. *I'm thankful for a new job...which will be starting soon (more on that later). *Green slime, explosions, goggles and lab coats...yes,

In REAL Life

This week, I've been thankful for some "real" life fun with people I love. Here's ONE: Yesterday morning, the kids started the day out with some Karaoke fun. The first song requested was "Shine" by the Newsboys and I smiled as the kids bounced around in the family room to this song. Our little guy then asked for his favorite: Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie. Don't ask me why. But hearing a three year old boy sing about big girls crying is just adorable. We progressed to "Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree" by KT Tunstill. I have no idea what she means (why not a black kitten and an apple tree?), but the kids love the "whoo-hoo" part and that's all that really matters. Whoo-hoo....whoo-hoo! And the last song, a favorite of all, "Mr. Roboto" by STYX. Oh yeah. We shine our light for Jesus in Robot style around our house. Three little robots marched around with jerky movements singing word-for-word the entire song. Here'