I have no idea where I first came across it. I just know it has stood in the corner of my inner office for quite some time now. At first glance, it appears to be a regular yardstick. But upon closer examination, what should be a three foot long yardstick is in fact a four foot long yardstick.
It is emblazoned with this quote: “PITTSBURGH PAINTS GOES TO EXTRA LENGTHS TO SERVE YOU BETTER”.
It is emblazoned with this quote: “PITTSBURGH PAINTS GOES TO EXTRA LENGTHS TO SERVE YOU BETTER”.
Now, I am not necessarily promoting Pittsburgh Paints. Nor am I in any way denigrating them. Not being a painter by trade, I can only speak to what I have heard regarding them. And based on their reputation, I assume that they do indeed offer quality products as well as service to their customers.
More to the point for the purposes of this blog post, I am impressed by their ability to demonstrate their marketing slogan in such a concrete way. The extra foot of length in the measuring stick they have provided aptly but succinctly conveys their message that they desire to go to extra lengths to serve their customers.
I am also reminded of what Jesus Christ had to say to His followers in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew (chapter 5, verses 38-48):
38You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ 39But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well; 41and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?
48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Jesus is clearly calling those of us who would follow Him to “go the extra mile” with regard to how we treat others. Specifically, He is talking about how we respond to others who mistreat us.
The context behind these words has to do with local Galileans and/or Judeans being impressed into service by Roman authorities. In any territory under Roman control, a Roman soldier could force a local citizen to carry his gear for one Roman mile. Jesus is saying that whenever this happens to one of His followers, he or she should go above and beyond and carry the load for two miles!
Believers behaving in this way will show those who mistreat them that love is more powerful than hate. And in the process, it may well touch the heart of those who oppress in such a way as to bring about positive change within them.
More to the point, it demonstrates that we are indeed children of a loving Heavenly Father, Who Himself has chosen to go the extra mile in His own dealings with us!
In light of these things, I challenge you to join with me and ponder way in which you can find to go the extra mile in your treatment of and response to others. Perhaps our combined efforts at such behavior undertaken as followers of Jesus Christ will eventually grab the attention of others, even as a simple but powerful four foot measuring stick did when I first saw it!
SCRIPTURE SOURCE: https://biblehub.com/bsb/matthew/5.htm.
More to the point for the purposes of this blog post, I am impressed by their ability to demonstrate their marketing slogan in such a concrete way. The extra foot of length in the measuring stick they have provided aptly but succinctly conveys their message that they desire to go to extra lengths to serve their customers.
I am also reminded of what Jesus Christ had to say to His followers in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew (chapter 5, verses 38-48):
38You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ 39But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well; 41and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?
48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Jesus is clearly calling those of us who would follow Him to “go the extra mile” with regard to how we treat others. Specifically, He is talking about how we respond to others who mistreat us.
The context behind these words has to do with local Galileans and/or Judeans being impressed into service by Roman authorities. In any territory under Roman control, a Roman soldier could force a local citizen to carry his gear for one Roman mile. Jesus is saying that whenever this happens to one of His followers, he or she should go above and beyond and carry the load for two miles!
Believers behaving in this way will show those who mistreat them that love is more powerful than hate. And in the process, it may well touch the heart of those who oppress in such a way as to bring about positive change within them.
More to the point, it demonstrates that we are indeed children of a loving Heavenly Father, Who Himself has chosen to go the extra mile in His own dealings with us!
In light of these things, I challenge you to join with me and ponder way in which you can find to go the extra mile in your treatment of and response to others. Perhaps our combined efforts at such behavior undertaken as followers of Jesus Christ will eventually grab the attention of others, even as a simple but powerful four foot measuring stick did when I first saw it!
SCRIPTURE SOURCE: https://biblehub.com/bsb/matthew/5.htm.