Going the second mile

Sometimes Jesus’ expectations upon His followers, and especially His leaders, are extraordinary.  They are demanding, counterintuitive, counterculture, and worst of all, they duel against every fiber of our being. Such is His exhortation to “go the second mile.”

 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.  (Matthew 5:38-42 NIV).

 The principle is twofold: Do not reciprocate either deliberate or implied aggression with further antagonism.  Undertake just the opposite action. Secondly, do not repulse requests for generosity. Give freely and generously to those who ask, even those we might deem unworthy.

 I think this command is challenging to apply because Jesus is talking about personal relationships. “Second-Miling,” in this case, is not about persevering through trials or arduous circumstances. There is, indeed, the kind of second mile that means one keeps going, no matter how difficult the path. Matthew 5 type of action involves dealing with people and situations we usually don’t like.

 First, there is an “evil person.”  These people are willing to use physical force to make their point. “If you don’t agree with me, I’ll just hit you.” The second person is a relatively typical litigious American who is happy to sue you to get what they want.  As you might know, the third person represented a Roman soldier who could require pretty much anyone to carry part of their equipment for a pre-determined distance. Jewish people hated to do anything for Roman soldiers. This situation would be like being forced to do a particular project for a boss you don’t like. The project requires you to work overtime, and it really ticks you off. And then, there is “Cousin Eddie.”  He wants to borrow from you every time you turn around.  You don’t remember the last time he held a job.

 There you have it; the first mile. This part of the journey presents the problem of Jesus’ admonishment. “I expect you to go the second mile, even when the first mile made you cringe.” Honestly, I am more worried about doing the right thing in the first mile.  But the second mile; that is another matter entirely. The second mile is a matter for Chuck Norris!

 So, here we are in the midst of a world crisis.  Of course, let’s at least be honest and define “world.”  There is a “first-world crisis,” and then there is a “developing world crisis.” Most of us reading this article are dealing with a “first-world” crisis and are knowledgeable enough to know that that chasm between our world and the “third-world” eclipses the Grand Canyon. Nevertheless, this is our crisis, and we are trying to own it.

 Amid crisis, leaders, at every level, become a flashpoint. Leaders are like the star we place on our Christmas tree.  Whether they like it or not, everything points to them.  There must be people to champion and people to blame. Most chiefs will experience more than their share of both sentiments. I’ve always liked how famous coach, Tom Landry, put it.  “You’re never as good as they say you are when you win, and you’re never as bad as they say you are when you lose.”

 If you are a leader, a parent, teacher, doctor, nurse, superintendent, pastor, priest, governor, or president, Jesus’ admonishment is intensely relevant during a calamity. Even when the first mile sucks, go the second mile. Here are some pointers in that direction. If you are a leader, multiply these issues several times over.

 Life is unfair. Get used to it. Okay, I’ve overstated the point.  None of us ever gets used to it. Part of being created in the image of God is a deep desire for justice.  But, in this world, justice is often a façade.  People who are poor and have great need from wealthy people don’t receive it. Weak people are controlled by the strong. Well-meaning people are misunderstood and mistreated.  Good people suffer bad things. Leaders who are trying their best to make wise decisions are vilified.  If you lead anything, you will be misunderstood and mistreated.  Just go on anyway.

 During a crisis, church leaders make tough decisions, and followers have no compunction about expressing their opinion about those choices. “Our church should never have closed. What kind of Christian leader are you?” “I can’t believe our church is staying open. How insensitive can you be?” “The service kept coming in and out this week. Can’t those people get the live cast down any better?  Andy Stanley doesn’t have that problem, nor does Pastor Joel.”

 One of my favorite Far Side cartoons is a picture of a man who has just arrived in hell. He stands in front of two doors with a demon ready to escort him into whichever he chooses.  There are signs on the doors which read: “Damned if you do, Damned if you don’t.”  This is the world of leadership. Just go on anyway.

 You will make many stupid mistakes. Own it. Our mistakes make liars of us all. Humility is the foundation upon which the tower of leadership is built. Without it, we create a house of cards. Dads and Moms, if you lose your cool with your children and say the wrong thing, own it.  Admit it, ask forgiveness, and move forward. Pastor’s, when you make a stupid decision, face it, and be honest about it.  No excuses. In a crisis, everyone makes bad choices. If you are on the receiving end of someone’s wrong choice, there is a concept called “grace.”  Learn it and dispense it in large quantities. Repaying “evil” for “evil” is an unproductive response, and gossip is a coward’s weapon.

 Give and loan to people who cannot pay you back, even relatives.  Years ago, I started participating in mission trips to Haiti. Sadly, I was oblivious to the plight of developing nations and people groups for most of my life. Haiti changed all that.  Since I am a visionary, proactive, git-r-done done leader, I decided how the Haitian puzzle could be solved.  I set out to put things right in Haiti. After several trips, many disappointments, and numerous humbling experiences, I realized that I was woefully wrong. It is my opinion that at least some of this developing nation’s problems have been caused and perpetuated by American missions, i.e., people like Don Hamilton. Pastor Don would not be the hero of this story.  Haiti seemed to me to be a black hole of assistance. So, would we go with support to another place where “God was working!” or would we continue to help a seemingly unsolvable situation. We chose both.  God is quietly working in the least likely places. You won’t read much about them through the prolific array of emails you receive. Their leaders will not speak at Exponential or Catalyst conferences. Jesus told His twelve key leaders that they would reap where they had not sown.  Somebody else supported unpopular works of the Mission Maker, and now the apostles would get the marquis. I wonder who God considers worth more honor?  Go figure.

 I have a tough time with folks who panhandle at the entrance/exit of shopping centers. They have signs stating, in a few short words, their great need. Unfortunately, I know that often their great desire is another fix. I have several excellent reasons why I do not usually share with these folks. Perhaps they are all valid and fair explanations. I don’t know how much God expects me to share with each homeless or downtrodden person. I do know that He desires that I share with some. “Give to people who ask,” He said.

 If God’s economy were like ours, we would be up the proverbial creek without the paddle. Let’s face it. We are a terrible gamble. God continually invests in ungrateful, unkind, unproductive, unholy, un – whatever, people.  In the world of investments, God’s portfolio would not look so good. Yet God doles out copious amounts of grace, kindness, and mercy.

 So, let’s get back to the main point. Jesus instructs His followers to go the first mile with difficult people, and then go the second mile. Perhaps He would propose even the third, fourth, and fifth mile. During the COVID season, this means that parents, employees, employers, administrators, teachers, team members, and virtually everyone faces unusual circumstances. Organizational presidents will make unpopular decisions. Teachers and administrators will find themselves frustrated and in untenable positions. Parents will be worried and short-tempered. Pastors will be challenged and not always get it right. Governors will make both bad and sound decisions. Nearly all leaders will make some right decisions and several dumb mistakes. And followers are hypersensitive. Many voices will seem to sound at 105 decibels. We should be careful how we judge since we are not walking their proverbial moccasins.

 Since we all participate in this situation, it would behoove us to follow Jesus’ instructions. The real winners will not be those who demand their rights or handle conflict with violence. Pandemic demands extraordinary wisdom, grace, and fortitude. National suffering requires going the second mile. The crisis also calls those willing to innovate, morph, and just go on anyway.

 For many reading this article, certain people and situations have come to mind. The question we will all answer is, “Will I be a first, second, or some other miler through each of these situations?”

 Might I add? After a few years of unjust treatment, resulting in a mock-trial, beatings, and being nailed to a cross, the teacher of the words we just examined forgave those who put him there.  Was this a sign of weakness? I think not. The person who can do good to those who propound wrong against them has complete control over every situation and ultimately cannot be “touched.”  The person in control of their reactions to every problem is exceptional.

 But sometimes, I’d sooner just hit or yell at someone!  Argh!  How about you?  Perhaps we are a work in progress. Oh, that Jesus. He was such a dreamer.