If You Say Goodbye To An Extra Mile You Sink Into Oblivion

Ruth 1:14
At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.

Going the extra mile is doing more than you are required to do. Going the extra mile is an act of kindness. Going the extra mile is what Jesus recommends to His followers.

Matthew 5:41
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.

We would be better people if we went the extra mile. Go the extra mile at your workplace. Go the extra mile in your studies. Go the extra mile in your exam preparation. Go the extra mile in your spousal understanding, kindness, and love. Go the extra mile in your parenting. Go the extra mile in forgiving. Go the extra mile in your devotional life.

Businesses that give discounts and extras attract more customers. Discounts, extras, and gifts attached to products are all extra miles of the business people. We would stand out if we went the extra mile. We would be attractive if we went the extra mile.

An extra mile is only good if what we are doing is good and virtuous. An extra mile of evil and harm is repulsive. An extra mile of poor customer care will drive clients away. An extra mile of unacceptable behavior will make our lives horrible. An extra mile should only be positive.

The book of Ruth in the Bible begins with a story of Naomi and her husband who escaped to Moab from Israel because of famine. While in Moab, their two sons married Moabite women. In the course of time, Naomi’s husband and sons died. Naomi was left alone with the two daughters-in-law, Oprah and Ruth.

After some time, Naomi decided to leave Moab and go back to Israel since the famine had ended and there was enough food back at home. As she left she was escorted by her two daughters-in-law. As she got to a road junction she thanked her daughters-in-law for their faithfulness and support and urged them to go back to Moab and find husbands and live a fulfilling life. They had done what was required in supporting the mother-in-law and anything more that they would do was an extra mile.

Orpah decided to go back home and she bid farewell to Naomi. There was nothing wrong with her choice. She had remained faithful to the end. She had treated her mother-in-law well. She had done exactly what the law required and what was right in everyone’s eyes and even before God.

Ruth on the other hand decided to go the extra mile. She decided to stick by the side of Naomi. Ruth decided that she will go beyond the call of duty. She will be a lifetime companion of her mother-in-law. Ruth went the extra mile.

We do not know much about what happened to Orpah. There is so much speculation about her life after doing exactly what was expected of her. This seems to be her last proper appearance in history. However, for Ruth who went the extra mile, a lot more is known.

Matthew 1:5-6
(5) Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
(6) and Jesse the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,

Ruth went back to Israel with Naomi. While in Israel Naomi encouraged her to approach Boaz carefully and tactfully. Eventually, Boaz got interested and married Ruth. Ruth and Boaz are part of the genealogy of Jesus. Ruth who went an extra mile is now permanently etched in the records of universal history. Anyone who goes the extra mile in anything they do will never be erased from the records of those they benefit. Orpah said goodbye to going an extra mile and she sank into oblivion!

For your own good, go the extra mile with your family. Go the extra mile at work. Go the extra mile in your business. Go the extra mile in your devotion to God. May that extra mile yield the best unforgettable results, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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