The 2 to 1 Principle
The Low Down
Last week I introduced “The 2:1 Principle” to my team. The principle is based on Matthew 5:41 so as much as I would like to take credit for it I can’t. I’d like to think I coined the phrase “The 2:1 Principle” though (my coworker Danny Macphail has recently coined it “The 2nd mile rule” in any case I like them both).
The passage:
“If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Matthew 5:41
A little context:
There are a number of commentaries on this passage but one that I enjoyed spoke into some of the historical context. “If someone forces…” sheds light on a time when many Roman laws were enacted to suppress the Jewish people. By law, a Roman soldier could ask a Jewish person to carry his equipment for a mile if they were to cross paths. It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “going the extra mile”. So imagine what it meant to the people hearing Jesus’ challenge to first meet the expectation and then exceed it by going an extra mile. Hmmm. Something for me to learn here.
The Application:
The applications are endless. You most likely can look at anything you are required to accomplish at your job (or life) and find an opportunity to apply this. If you are the guy who sets up the stage with equipment why not vacuum it too? I know applying this to everything is a lot easier said than done and by no means do I have a monopoly on this one. However, our team has begun to explore what the whole would look like if we applied it.
The Extra Mile
The last part of that passage states “go with him two miles.” It’s the second mile that reveals the kind of people we are. Walking the first mile shows compliance. Walking the second reveals character. If I can work on the character part I’ll bear fruit that may outlive me. The extra mile has little to do with the task or the person assigning it but more to do with our response.
This is what we are talking about at Bayside. What are you talking about? What area are you trying to improve in this year?
Dig the post CJ. Our Worship team is focusing on consistency. We have seen a need to better invest into our volunteers so the quality and execution of worship on weekends, for example, doesn’t distract or is constant flux.
Great post man and thanks for the shout out. I like my name better.
Anway… I definitely fail at this all the time.. But now having a way, or example, for people to call me on this is great! Thanks bro!
This is really good. I may end up stealing it, but I’ll give proper credit where it is due
Hey Brent thanks for stopping by. Feel free to use it all you want. Hope the fam is doing well!
We are well. thanks!
I need to get south sometime and say hey. take a weekend and enjoy Bayside. We aren’t that far away.