Labors of Love... and the Second Mile

"The distinction that makes us Christ followers is in the turned cheek and in the second mile."

That was part of a wonderful sermon message preached last Sunday at my church. Following Jesus is counter-cultural. Pastor explained that Jesus came into the world at a time when the Romans ruled with a heavy hand and harsh punishments... a time when the religious leaders of the day also demanded adherence to laws, hundreds of them, where breaking just one of those laws meant you had broken them all. Pastor went on to explain how both those systems, governmental and religious, left people living in fear.

In the midst of this came Jesus, beginning his public ministry, offering something so very different: hope, freedom, and... distinction.

To live life from a place of a servant's heart, from devotion to the Lord set them apart. Roman soldiers could demand any citizen carry their pack for a mile. They could strike a person's cheek for the slightest offense. Jesus encouraged his followers to be different, to live counte-culturally. He said when someone demands you carry their pack for one mile, go two. If someone strikes your cheek, instead of anger and retaliation, turn the other.

Counter-cultural.

As I reflected on the the pastor's words I thought about how we as Christ followers are still called to be "distinct." It brought to mind for me that Scripture passage in Colossians 3:23, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it heartily as to God rather than men." Paul's exhortation was for a very different cultural context, yet, it still applies to us today. We cannot separate that faith distinction from the rest of our life. It is co-mingled. Everything we do is an expression not only of our faith, but of the gratitude we have for the One who calls us to use the gifts He has given us to His glory and for the good of His Kingdom.

What I'm about to relate next may not make sense to some of you. I connect really disparate things sometimes in my head. I'm not sure they always translate, but here goes.

Last weekend Tom and I headed to Cypress for our youngest grandbaby's second birthday. The party was to be on Saturday, but we drove in Friday late afternoon to sneak in a little extra time with Paisley before all the chaos of the party ensued. We walked through the door to find what I can only describe as Sarah's touch "oozing out" all over everything.

Sarah is a creative. That is how God made her. It is also how God made me, so I can totally relate.

There were little spiral streamers with Winnie-the-Pooh characters dangling from the ceiling. Above the dining room table was a yellow paper lantern Sarah had crafted into a "hive" complete with little fuzzy bees circling, attached by wires. The kitchen counter had two cake pans cooling, wafting the most delicious smell... honey vanilla, baked from scratch. There were signs for orange Cheeto "Tigger Tails" and "Piglets in a Blanket" awaiting the kids' buffet the next day.

It was clear Sarah had put a whole lot of herself into this. It wasn't for thanks from Paisley, 'cause, let's face it, she's only two and doesn't have any concept yet of all the work that went into it. It wasn't for accolades from party-goers who would "ooh" and "ahh" over the details. Nor was it for amassing "likes" from Instagram followers. It was done simply and completely out of love for this precious, little blessing God had brought into her life, and as an expression of the creative gift God had placed into Sarah when He knit her together.

Please don't misunderstand me to say that having store-bought cupcakes at your kid's birthday party is a crime or that minimalism is somehow inappropriate. I'm not saying that at all. I guess what I'm trying to express is that going the second mile isn't just about doing more than is required. It's about wanting to use our giftedness and our calling to reflect God's glory and to please Him in whatever work we find to do.

Being "distinct" gives us God's joy in going the second mile.

Like I mentioned before, I also happen to be pretty heavily right-brained. People haven't always understood me or the "why" behind the way I choose to do things. Whether planning for a Bible study, a tea, a retreat, or a baby shower, I've been told often over the years things like, "You really don't have to go to that much trouble," and, "All those little details aren't necessary."

My goodness, I have even confounded my husband by doing little things like tying hand-ripped rag bows to price tags for yard sale items. (I don't think he grasped the significance and relevance of that detail in retailing to women looking at vintage aprons hanging displayed on an old gate!)

I get it. I know those details aren't necessary, and I know to some people they may seem silliness or madness or both. If I were doing whatever I do out of self-gratification or praise from others, I'd heartily agree with them. But... I don't think God complains when we do whatever it is we do... for Him. After all... He has gifted us the way He has for a reason, and He has called us to the places He has for a purpose.

Tell me, doesn't that require the second mile?

So go ahead. Be whoever God has crafted you to be and do joyfully what your hand finds to do... for Him as a thank offering, for praise, and for love of both God and your fellow man.

And don't ever let anyone discourage you from crafting paper lantern "bee hives" or from tying rag bows to price tags ;)