Imagine entering a college classroom and seeing three pairs of shoes lining the middle aisle between tables—men’s hiking boots, women’s running shoes, and children’s Spiderman light-up sneakers. As the class began, I asked for students willing to demonstrate walking in these shoes. Thankfully, Angie quickly volunteered, placing her feet in the men’s boots, she used the aisle as a catwalk to emphasize the purpose of the illustration—to recognize what it means to Walk a Mile in Someone Else’s Shoes. As the class went on to converse about the importance of Cultivating Hospitality in our ethics course, to recognize that we bring different viewpoints and perspectives with us to our discussions, my hope was that they would consider intentionally being mindful of engaging with each other in a respectful manner that goes above and beyond.

Since I am somewhat deficient in both wit and humor, it is necessary for me to find alternative ways to Surprise and Delight students so that the content we are learning becomes memorable. And since I have multimodal learners, I find that the use of props and visuals engages students in a way that I cannot. Students clearly absorbed the message but were unaware of where the second-mile phrase originated, so there was not only an opportunity to discuss empathy, but to include Scripture, history, and customer service all at the same time. “I love it when a plan comes together!” (Thank you, A-Team).

Recently, I was reminded of that day in class and the Second Mile Spirit that Jesus taught us over 2,000 years ago. Pastor Levi Lusko utilized a scene from The Chosen in his message depicting Jesus and His disciples carrying the Roman soldiers’ armor for the unrequired Second Mile and how this surprised and confused everyone. Why would anyone do this? But choosing to do what is unrequired is the point of Lusko’s message, when we give generously, when we consider doing things for the benefit of a future generation, when we do with no thought of getting in return, our perspective shifts from self to For Others.

This Second Mile Spirit is the foundation on which Cultivating Hospitality rests, whether it’s giving of finances, creating culture in a classroom, or meeting the needs of guests. Everything we do communicates to others, and when we go above and beyond, we communicate that we care. Recently, multiple pastors have used the famous quote, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” So, how am I currently being challenged to embrace a Second Mile Spirit? In just about every way imaginable.

Because I believe it is possible to engage in Unreasonable Hospitality in every aspect of our lives, I am convinced that we don’t have to settle for Just Okay. We can instead wow others with a Second Mile Spirit. Young and Malm, addressing a church setting share, “A little bit of planning on the front end will take your guest experience to the Next Level and save you from future headaches. Think through what the little details will communicate about your customer…Walking in the shoes of the guest helps you determine what you need to communicate in each portion of the experience…When an organization is unwilling to inconvenience itself for the guest, there’s a massive breakdown in the guests’ experience. But on the flip side, when an organization goes out of its way to do something for the guest, that creates a [Defining Moment].”

Isn’t that what Jesus desires that we do? Inconvenience ourselves For Others? We have an opportunity to model servanthood in every area of our lives—from the classroom to the boardroom. What would it mean for you to approach your personal life with a Second Mile Spirit? Your professional life? What about guiding your organization in this upside-down Jesus way of servant leadership?

One day, I hope to experience a stay at a Ritz Carlton, since they are often used as an exemplar for going the Second Mile; but more importantly, if I am to serve a loving Savior by pouring my life into others, then I should consider the others who are before me every day—in the classroom, on the hallway, and in front of me at the grocery store. Do you know someone who embraces the Second Mile Spirit? Would you consider sharing about them in the comments below so we can celebrate someone living out their God-Given Space?

References:

Jenkins, D. (Director). (2024). Go the extra mile scene. The chosen. Season 4, Episode 2. [Video]. Angel Studios. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3FmYv9uOJk

Lusko, L. (2024, December 8). The least I could do. Good roads movement, part 5. [Audio podcast]. Fresh Life Church. Retrieved from https://freshlife.church/messages/the-least-i-can-do/

Quote Research. (2024, July 4). Quote origin: People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Quote Investigator. Retrieved from https://quoteinvestigator.com/2024/07/04/know-care/

Young, J. & Malm, J. (2018). The come back effect: How hospitality can compel your church’s guests to return. Baker Books.