“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” (Matthew 5:41, NIV)
The world-renowned gymnastics coach, Liang Chow, claims that “A champion isn’t made of muscle; a champion is made of heart.”
During the 2023 European Championships in Poland, Jolien Boumkwo’s heart was on full display. Two of Boumkwo’s teammates were injured and unable to compete in the 100-meter hurdles event. Boumkwo, who finished seventh in the shot-put competition the previous day, volunteered for the race to get at least some points for Belgium to ensure her team didn’t get automatically disqualified.
Boumkwo ran a blistering 32.8 seconds—a full nineteen seconds behind the second-to-last finisher. Yet at the finish line, she was met by her competitors for going the extra mile. When asked why she agreed to run in the event, Boumkwo replied, “My team is the most important thing for me. I couldn’t let it happen to lose by one point.”
Go the extra mile. Jesus’ use of these words refers to an ancient Roman law. Roman soldiers had the authority to order a Jewish civilian to carry his baggage and body armor for one Roman mile (roughly nine-tenths of a mile). The task could be difficult given the average soldier’s shield and breastplate could weigh up to thirty-two pounds.
Jesus, however, instructed his disciples to extend this legal requirement by voluntarily carrying the soldier’s luggage an additional mile. By walking a second mile, a rapport could be built with the soldier. The extra time spent with the soldier gave the carrier a greater opportunity of turning a foe into a friend.
In today’s world, going the extra mile may well be a retail representative taking additional time to help out a customer. Or the neighbor who drops by the house of a new family to welcome them with a gallon of Graeter’s ice cream. Or the retiree who volunteers at a local elementary school to tutor students who struggle with math. Those who do more than what is expected of them are marked as true champions in the eyes of God.
So, to the Jolien Boumkwo’s of the world, I say, “Bravo!” The extra hurdles you have conquered are making me leap for joy!
The world-renowned gymnastics coach, Liang Chow, claims that “A champion isn’t made of muscle; a champion is made of heart.”
During the 2023 European Championships in Poland, Jolien Boumkwo’s heart was on full display. Two of Boumkwo’s teammates were injured and unable to compete in the 100-meter hurdles event. Boumkwo, who finished seventh in the shot-put competition the previous day, volunteered for the race to get at least some points for Belgium to ensure her team didn’t get automatically disqualified.
Boumkwo ran a blistering 32.8 seconds—a full nineteen seconds behind the second-to-last finisher. Yet at the finish line, she was met by her competitors for going the extra mile. When asked why she agreed to run in the event, Boumkwo replied, “My team is the most important thing for me. I couldn’t let it happen to lose by one point.”
Go the extra mile. Jesus’ use of these words refers to an ancient Roman law. Roman soldiers had the authority to order a Jewish civilian to carry his baggage and body armor for one Roman mile (roughly nine-tenths of a mile). The task could be difficult given the average soldier’s shield and breastplate could weigh up to thirty-two pounds.
Jesus, however, instructed his disciples to extend this legal requirement by voluntarily carrying the soldier’s luggage an additional mile. By walking a second mile, a rapport could be built with the soldier. The extra time spent with the soldier gave the carrier a greater opportunity of turning a foe into a friend.
In today’s world, going the extra mile may well be a retail representative taking additional time to help out a customer. Or the neighbor who drops by the house of a new family to welcome them with a gallon of Graeter’s ice cream. Or the retiree who volunteers at a local elementary school to tutor students who struggle with math. Those who do more than what is expected of them are marked as true champions in the eyes of God.
So, to the Jolien Boumkwo’s of the world, I say, “Bravo!” The extra hurdles you have conquered are making me leap for joy!