The High Road

By: Donna Clark

I’m reading a wonderful book, Jesus – the High Road Leader, written by John Maxwell and Chris Hodges. The blurb on the back cover piqued my interest and also challenged me. As I read, I found areas in my life that didn’t measure up to high-road living. As sad as that is, I’m thankful for it. I can now begin to pray and ask God to help me in these areas where I am missing the mark. I hope this article will do the same for you, reveal some areas that you could possibly be falling short in. Even if you’re an unbeliever, I hope that you’ll stay with me, read the words, and reflect upon your life. I feel we all want to be successful, for our lives to matter, but the reality is that none of us are perfect and we are all in need of help in some degree. We need Godly direction and the strength that can only come from God, to go in the way He sets before us.

The authors tell us the most important words Jesus ever spoke was “Follow Me.” Don’t just do as I say, do as I do. How is that accomplished? How do we love our neighbor as ourselves? How do we reflect a perfect Jesus in an imperfect world that is consumed with bitterness, anger, hostility, and hate? In His Sermon on the Mount, we are told to love our enemies, turn the other cheek, and go the extra mile. It’s not only what Jesus encouraged us to do, He did it Himself.

If you’re a fan of the Chosen series, you may remember the episode where Jesus and His disciples, while traveling down a road, are met by a group of Roman soldiers. Immediately, the soldiers place their heavy gear on the backs of Jesus and His followers, for by law, the Roman soldiers were permitted to make that demand. One mile was to be given if these soldiers so directed. When the mile is reached, Jesus teaches His disciples a valuable lesson, He instructs them to continue further than what was required. This had to be difficult, serving an authority that had caused their people so much difficulty and pain. You may be thinking how this is relevant for today. If you’ve lived any number of years, I’m sure you’ve had a situation in your life when someone mistreated you, misjudged you, caused you harm and pain in some fashion. If no forgiveness was asked, no sorrow seen by your offender, and you were asked by that person to help in some way, would you? Would you give what was requested and more? Our humanness says this isn’t fair, and I’m here to agree that many things are not. We can argue that any act of kindness towards such an individual is not deserved. I’m not saying we should allow ourselves to be abused or be a doormat. But I do believe we must look at Jesus’ words and ask for His guidance in such situations. He may ask that we serve the one who has caused us pain, and if so, we are to do as He did by giving even more than asked. The thing to remember is that the deed is not really being done for the other person, the deed is done for the One we serve and our desire to follow His example and be obedient to His instructions.

Going back to the Chosen episode, as the Roman soldiers notice that Jesus and His followers are continuing on further than the required distance, they begin to slow their pace, stop, and look at this group of Jews. You then see Romans humbled by the actions of these men and women. At that time, they remove the packs from the travelers, taking the loads from their backs and placing them on their own. A statement was made and it was noticed. The extra mile was given. This story is given to teach us much about humility, forgiveness, even turning the other cheek and loving our neighbor, whoever that may be, as ourselves. How can we possibly go wrong when we seek God for direction and then follow?

Would our world be a better place if we lived by His teaching? To not keep score or seek revenge, but to look at the One who has given us a high road to walk and to follow on it. Think of the impact that could be made in the lives of others when we are seen following a Man who loved so deeply. A Man who was

so genuine, caring more about honoring His Father and reflecting His character than proving a point or making a statement for Himself. What an example for us today.

So, I leave you with this – Would you say the road you travel is a higher road? Are you willing to go the

extra mile even if it’s not fair? Much has been given to us, are you willing to give to others?

Choose the high road.

By: Donna Clark