The Third Mile
May 25, 2011
Excerpt from Matthew 5:38-42
"...and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile."
Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson
"Yes," said a friend, "it's true Jesus asked us to go the second mile, but he didn't say nothing about no third, fourth or fifth mile."
Is there a limit to extra chances, to second miles? If there are times when we all need a second chance, are there also times when it is wise and right to draw a line and set a limit? Are there times when it's best to say, "We've gone the second mile with you, but we're not going to go no third, fourth or tenth mile." I think there are.
I notice in congregations that some people ask for more attention than others, sometimes a lot more. They want others to listen to them and accommodate them, but don't return the favor. They seem to have to get their way. And they never, it seems, stop asking. You may think that saying "yes" this one time will satisfy them. But with some people, giving in only whets their appetite and keeps them coming back for more. They don't seem to notice that there are other people in the church, too.
So we go the second mile, and we should, giving others an extra measure of patience, time and effort. That's okay. For sure, someone has given that to you and to me. But there's also a time to say, "This far, no further." There's a time to say to the person who's asking everyone to adjust to them but who isn't making any adjustments to others, "No."
There's a time to say that misbehavior, being demanding, popping off at others, being mean or unfair is not okay here and won't be tolerated. We went the second mile, but we aren't going no third mile. We say that not because we don't care, but because we do.
Prayer
Teach us, Lord, when to say "yes" and when to say "no." Help our "no's" to be because we've said a deep and abiding "Yes" to you. Amen.
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