”And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.” Matthew 5:41

Going two miles with someone who forces you to only go one mile is what best illustrates the concept of extra-mile. It means going beyond and above what was expected from you. An employer once said this: there are generally three categories of employees; the first category is about those who will not act on the instructions they are given; the second category is made of those who stick to instructions and would do nothing more. The 3rd and last category is made of those who don’t just carry out instructions well but who will go far beyond and add so much value to it that the instructor himself will be amazed at the result and outcome. If you were an employer and you were in the position to only employ one, I guess your choice would be on the 3rd one, right?

Extra mile pays. It actually pays handsomely and anyone that makes a culture of it will definitely eat the fruit thereof. Such was the case of Joseph. That Hebrew boy epitomizes extra mile in the Bible. Looking at what he went through, Joseph had all reasons to spend time looking at himself questioning the Almighty God all day long. Instead, he was joyful even in the prison where he found himself though he was blameless. Rather than just mind his own business, Joseph would ask his co-detained why they looked sad and would offer his service of interpreter of dreams free of charge. God finally used the buckler who once enjoyed Joseph to bring Joseph before higher than his former master; he was summoned before the king because his services were needed.

While Joseph was only asked to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, he did what he was asked and that alone was already a very outstanding achievement which would have attracted to him honor and celebration. But for having practiced the extra mile and knowing the benefits it can yield, Joseph advised the King to find someone wise enough to implement a remediation plan. Nobody asked him for that. But going as far as making that recommendation stood him out even more. Joseph got promoted and all the suffering of his past years were swallowed in glory. In Egypt, only Pharaoh was above him.

As a child of God, let’s fight for excellence by doing well what we are asked and even adding much more value to it. And God will bless us!