Words of Grace – Feb. 18, 2016

“Going the extra mile.” This popular phrase is based on what Jesus preached in the Sermon on the Mount. “And whosoever shall compel you to go a mile,” he said, “go with him two” (Matthew 5:41).

These words of Jesus are explained when the Roman soldiers led him to the place where he would be crucified. They compelled Simon, a man from Cyrene, to carry the cross. (Matthew 27:32)

A retired business executive knew what it meant to go the extra mile. When he was asked what the secret of his success was, he answered that it could be summed up in three words: “and then some.”

He said that he had discovered at an early age that most of the differences between average people and top people could be explained in these three words.

The top people did what was expected of them – “and then some.”

They were thoughtful of others, they were considerate and kind – “and then some.”

They were good friends to their friends – “and then some.”

They could be counted on in an emergency – “and then some.”

“And so it is when we put our trust in God’s goodness,” the businessman concluded. “He returns our love – and then some.”