The Extra Mile
What separates the ordinary from the extraordinary is the extra. What separates the good from the best is the willingness to go a little further. What separates the woman from the virtuous woman is the discipline to go the extra mile. Proverbs 31:10 says, “Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is far above rubies.” I like to think of a virtuous woman as a woman that has been set apart.
In order to be that rare virtuous woman, something about you must be extraordinary. I believe that one of the ways we demonstrate that is by going the extra mile. Matthew 5:41 states, “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” This scripture calls us to go above and beyond. Ordinary people will do what is asked of them. There are very few people that will make a personal sacrifice to do more than what is asked.
Going the extra mile for people demonstrates to God that he can trust you because he can use you to draw others to him. If you are willing to go beyond to help imperfect people how much more will you be willing to do for a perfect God? By going the extra mile for others you have obeyed one of Gods greatest commandments. “Love thy neighbor as thyself, there is no commandment greater than these,” Mark 12:31. When you are willing not just to help people, but to do more than they have asked of you they will take notice and be drawn to the God you serve because of who you are.
A heart of service is developed when you go the extra mile for others. When we help others we are like servants, because we put aside our will for another person. If and when you become a wife and a mother, it will require you to serve others constantly. The needs of your children and husband will be met only by you as the mom and wife. In order to be a virtuous woman and leader of your household you must be able to serve. In order to be a great servant you must be willing to go the extra mile.
As a Christian, God has called you to be light in a dark world. God has spotlighted you and chosen you to be an example to others. How can you stand out doing the bare minimum? How will people notice you and get to know the God in you if you do what everybody else does? Sometimes going the extra mile is staying late at work to help someone else with a project that isn’t yours or maybe instead of just fixing your family dinner you also make their favorite dessert. Whatever it is, God has called you to excellence and he will reward you for it. God desires greatness for you and from you. How will you go the extra mile?