The Extra Mile
By Pete Smith
There is something to be said for a life well-traveled! People who have lived a lot of miles are very interesting. My Great Grandmother was born, raised, and spent her entire life of, 97 years in Upson County, Georgia. She never traveled beyond the county line. It’s hard to imagine never traveling anywhere. However, her life was full of wisdom and lessons only learned by walking a lot of miles. Walking is a literal statement. She traveled by foot or horse and buggy for most of her life. She worked the fields plowing and harvesting by putting one foot in front of the other.
Life is often referred to as a journey, and several common phrases are used to describe living life: walk it out, walk a mile in my shoes, got a few miles on me, go the extra mile, etc.
How many miles has your life traveled? How many trips have you completed around the sun?
OTR trucking is all about the miles! Truckers are measured and compensated based on the miles traveled. One driver told me the other day that they were now a member of the 3-million-mile club! Wow! That’s a lot of pavement under the feet or under the belt. Each day, mileage goals are set with the hopes of achieving life’s plans. We want to pay the bills, plan a vacation, and build a future. Nothing is happening unless miles are traveled. Sometimes, we push a little harder to go the extra mile. We know a little extra mile today is insurance for tomorrow when the miles might be short. The extra mile strategy is a good move that could even lead to a mileage bonus!
Having an “Extra Mile” strategy for life has been known to make the walk of life a little sweeter! The Bible challenges us to go the “Extra Mile.”
Mathew 5:41: “And whoever compels you to go a mile, go with him two.”
This passage of scripture uses the mile analogy to describe living life by serving others. This indirectly benefits others but directly benefits you. The extra mile brings extra life! Regardless of your faith or background, this principle works! Have you thought about what the extra mile looks like for you? The extra mile compels us to make the extra effort, do more than required, and help others without benefit. There is something special about serving the people we meet during our travels. Going the extra mile for others gives you an extra mile bonus!
Let’s get some miles in today! Run hard and strong and log the miles. Make sure you plan to go the extra mile somewhere and sometime! Remember, you are measured and compensated for the miles you travel! Truckers are more likely to drive more miles than most people. It would be great if truckers also lived more miles than anyone else. Cheers to the “Extra Mile”! May you live a lot of miles!
