As the end of year fast approaches has there been a significant learning experience this year for you?
For me, I have been pondering on something I experienced having spent the first part of the year in Iraq, living in a Yazidi village. One of the things I have missed since being back in Australia is the amazing Middle Eastern hospitality. It is like nothing else! It’s so normal to be invited into the home of a stranger and drink chai (tea) with whoever is there. It doesn’t seem to matter that we cannot speak their language, and they cannot speak English! Sometimes an invitation is even to stay for a meal. In fact, if you are invited to dinner, it is often expected that you will also sleep the night!
How can the Yazidi people do this so easily? I think there is a little phrase that goes something like, “Westerners have watches, but no time – Easterners have time and no watches.” It’s a different world view. It got me thinking how culturally different we are when it comes to hospitality. We may struggle to uphold this sort of welcome to friends and strangers in our part of the world, often using our fast-paced lifestyle as our reasoning.
As I have been reflecting, God directed me to what Jesus said during His sermon on the Mount, “Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with them two”. (Matt 5:41). Jesus was telling the people a story about if a Roman soldier asked a Jew to carry his pack, the Jew was mandated by law to carry it one mile. But Jesus said, “Keep carrying the soldier’s pack for another mile.” Jesus is saying to go beyond obligation. This could be the Christian’s version of hospitality. The second mile is not an obligation; it is an opportunity! Could we be missing the opportunity of opening up a conversation that would never happen in the first mile? Carrying it the second mile could be the miracle mile.
It seems that it is this miracle mile that separates certain individuals from others. The second mile usually makes onlookers ask why we would go the extra mile. As followers of Jesus, we want to imitate His teachings. I want to reflect more on what this means for me. Jesus’ command was to go beyond what’s expected as a way of honouring God. Jesus was counter-cultural. The second mile doesn’t make sense to those who live according to the world’s value system. But for those who want to follow Jesus, going the extra mile is a way to stand out from the world and emulate the character of our Saviour.
During this holiday season, I want to be more aware of what ways I could go the second mile. Can I be available to someone (a friend or stranger) to not just do the “first” mile, but to offer my time, money, hospitality, or a lift in my car and go the ‘second’ mile’?
During these holidays, I hope you and I can experience the joy of a wonderful ‘second’ mile’ opportunity motivated by the love of Christ.
Blessings,
Leanne
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