"I get sensitive and angry, because force implies someone is trying to control me."

A thought by Kyle Idleman, from his book, One at a Time (p. 94). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.)

Here is what Kyle is talking about.

He continues, "There was this law back then that Roman soldiers could force civilians into acts of service, but there were limitations. A Roman soldier could force a Jew to carry his pack for one mile, but not any farther. The Jewish person didn’t have an option, so they’d pick up the pack and carry it a mile, but not another step. They couldn’t be forced into a second mile.

"Roman soldiers were the enemy. They treated Jewish people like dogs. So, imagine this scenario: a Jewish man is coming home from work. He’s tired and hungry and just wants to get home in time for a little SportsCenter before going to bed. He sees a soldier on the side of the road. Oh, great. This is the last thing he needs.

"The Jewish man is angry and upset every step of the way. As soon as he hits a mile, he drops the pack and marches home. What happens when he gets home? Still frustrated and angry, he slams the door, yells at his wife, is short with the kids, kicks the dog, and spends the rest of the evening in his room."

Kyle goes on, "But what if he got to the end of the first mile and said to the Roman soldier, 'You know what? I don’t mind going a second mile if that would help you out.'

"It feels like that’s giving up power, but if you think about it, isn’t he taking some control back? No one is making him do it; he’s choosing it. He might come home a little later than he had planned, but he walks in the door with dignity.

"My guess is the Roman soldier wouldn’t have known what to say. I’m sure he would have told the other soldiers about it. 'You wouldn’t believe what happened to me today. I made a Jew carry my pack one mile, and he voluntarily carried it two.' People would’ve noticed."

Kyle then says, "Jesus teaches his followers to have a second mile mentality with one person at a time, even when that person is an enemy who is making your life miserable. What would it look like to live that way today?"

It would make a difference, wouldn't it? Yes, yes! #continuethought

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