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The Extra Mile the Wrong Way
The Extra Mile The Wrong Way?
No one was more qualified to be an apostle to the Jews than Paul (Galatians 1:14). So God did the obvious and chose as the apostle to the Jews…Peter (Galatians 2:7). And therein are valuable lessons.
1. This is not about how Paul was highly qualified to also go to the Gentiles. Paul might be the most well-rounded, gifted person in the Bible.
2. This is about God choosing someone who according to all appearances was less qualified.
3. This is about how God can use us in ways we might not choose for ourselves because we are less qualified in that way and more so than others.
Consider these questions:
1. Can we think of our calling (i.e. ministry) that surprised us?
2. Or, do we only serve in ways we choose?
3. If we only minister in ways that are natural and easy, can we see the possibility that we are in control rather than God?
The application for us is in thinking how counterintuitive the Sermon on the Mount is.
1. Going the extra mile is not how we would choose to serve. And yet…go the extra mile.
2. With God, it is not always about us using our gifts, but rather using our gifts how, when, and where God chooses.
3. That is our challenge. Go the extra mile even when it is the wrong way we would choose.
Paul was the perfect man for the job, so naturally God chose someone else. Let God surprise us, by being willing to serve in grace in unexpected ways, without looking down on those God chooses instead of us. Maybe the extra mile we need to to is our own attitude.
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