Today I was sitting in the car waiting in the carpark and enjoying the view of fields and trees.As I sat there I saw  an elderly man who had his hands full and was making his way across the carpark. In spite of the fact he was already laden, I watched as he bent down to pick up a piece of litter and put it in the nearest bin.

 

It was a simple thing but it made me consider the idea of going the extra mile, had I had my hands full would I have stopped to do that? Probably not!

 

Jesus talks about going the extra mile, about carrying a pack a little further, about giving your coat as well as your shirt, for by such actions we are showing a love beyond duty, a love beyond that which is expected, the love indeed which Christ shows for us.

 

"And if someone takes you to court to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well. And if one of the occupying troops forces you to carry his pack one kilometre, carry it two kilometres." Matthew 5 vs 41-42