Mel Blackaby - Going the Second Mile: Letting God Take You Beyond Yourself

Mile Markers
Questions for Your Reflection & Application

FOR YOUR JOY

By Henry T. Blackaby

T he greatest privilege of a parent is to see their children choose to walk with the God of their father. It has been my privilege not only to witness that in my sons life, but also to serve the Lord with him as we travel and speak together at conferences all over the world.

Mel has written this book out of his own life experiences. Even as a boy I watched the Lords hand upon him as he responded to what the Lord was doing in his life. As a teenager and then a college student he was called upon to go the second mile, to go beyond what was acceptable to those around him. These moments were choices he had to make even when those around him refused to go that way.

As Mel serves now as a pastor, the Lord has developed his character with a true shepherds heart. The shepherd is often called upon to carry burdens many others will not carry, spending extra long hours with hurting and bewildered people. But I have sensed that Mel, in the midst of carrying the burdens of Gods people, has discovered a level of joy that is found only in a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. While others are burning out, he has grown stronger. And by his example he is leading many of Gods people to experience the joy of going the second mile with their Lord.

This book is Mels witness to the reality of abundant life in Christ. You will be drawn to this experience for yourself as you read and as you identify the Lords activity in your life.

There is so much more to the Christian life than many people are experiencing. When Christ said He came to bring abundant life, He really did mean it. As you read this book, may you hear the Lords invitation to go the second mile with Him and experience life as He intended when He created you.

YOU HAVE ONLY
ONE LIFE

Make It More Than Just Good

T he world today is desperate to find God. Many people are searching for Him. But when they look at those who claim to be Christians, I wonder if they see the good news of Christ and are drawn to Him.

As I observe people, Im convinced that theres a restlessness in their souls though many cant put their finger on it. They dont know whats missing. And when they look to the church and to those who call themselves Christians, they see no real difference between what they observe and the life they already have.

One of the great hindrances faced by people who are examining the Christian faith is actually Christians themselves. Not that Christians arent good people; they are! But the world doesnt need to see good people doing good things for their God; they need to see God within them, doing what only He can do!

When it comes down to it, there are a lot of good people in the world. There are many wonderful things people do and many great causes they support. There are many talented individuals who use their gifts for noble and charitable purposes. In many cases, the lives of those who dont know Christ look even better than the lives of those who claim to be Christians.

Should there be a difference between a good person and a child of God? Absolutely. Christians are not called to be merely good people; God is after something much more than that. Hes after something that cannot be accomplished without His presence; something that goes beyond what a good person is able to do. Its what I call living your life on the second mile. The world will respect a good deed, but will marvel at those who walk with the Lord on the second mile.

However, Ive known many Christians who work hard for the Lord and yet are still struggling, and whose spirits are troubled. They tend to strive ever harder in hopes of gaining a blessing or earning a reward from God. And the more they strive the more frustrated they get. They actually burn out trying to do good things in the name of the Lord!

If that describes your life, you need to understand the second mile. For going the second mile is not a more hectic or burdensome life; it is much more peaceful. Better yet, it is full of the adventure of walking with Christ into places even a good person would not go.

You have one life to live, so live it well. Live it as God intended and make a difference for eternity.

May the Holy Spirit open your eyes to see your life from Gods perspective and give you the courage to adjust to Him.

Note: At times throughout this book, peoples names have been changed to protect their privacy.

A W ORD OF A CKNOWLEDGMENT

No pastor can tell the stories of God without acknowledging the church family that walks with him. Together our church has seen God do many mighty acts in our midst, and its all because I serve among a congregation willing to walk by faith and follow the Lord. So I say thank you to Bow Valley Baptist Church, whose members demonstrate a significant measure of faith, sacrifice, and grace.