Going Above and Beyond to Do Good

This week Norma Jean and I are in Huntington Beach, California, where I’m preaching in a meeting. We’re thankful to be here. We almost didn’t make it on time.

After boarding our plane in Tampa, a thunderstorm struck delaying our departure for about an hour. We had a connecting flight in Dallas at the DWF airport. However, with the delay, making the flight was going to a challenge. Soon we learned that we would be arriving at terminal A, but our flight to John Wayne International Airport was leaving from terminal D.

Before landing the flight attendant who knew about the connection came over and very kindly explained the situation, He said that we probably wouldn’t make it and we should try to reschedule when we landed. However, a young black man sitting by us who was a DJ going to Dallas for a wedding offered to help. He said he would carry Norma’s carry-on luggage and take us to the gate.

We landed at 2:05 and didn’t deplane until about 2:15. The next flight was scheduled to leave at 2:39. I secured my luggage, our new friend grabbed Norma’s luggage while lugging his own backpack. We exited the plane, ran for the escalator and then hopped on the Skylink train. We when reached terminal D we still had a good way to run to D-4.

When we arrived they had already shut the door to the ramp although the plane was still sitting at the gate. The agent informed us she wasn’t allowed to open the door. However, she sensed our desperation, made a phone call and received permission to open the door. Of course our assigned seats had been sold since we were late, but a flight attendant, Sandra, took charge, welcomed us with a smile, and asked another passenger to move to an open seat so we could sit together.

Sandra smiled and told us to relax. We made it. She then brought us a bottle of water before leaving the gate. Shortly after take off, she checked on us to see how we were doing and brought us some hot nuts to munch on while waiting for the normal beverage service.

Thanks to a stranger who went out of his way to help and some extraordinary kind American Airlines employees, we arrived at our destination on time.

This experience reminded us (again) there are a lot of good people in the world who care about other people, will go the extra mile to lend a helping hand and to serve above and beyond what is required. Obviously, I know nothing about the religious views or political affiliation of those who helped us. It was immaterial to both them and us. They saw an opportunity to help two fellow human beings and did what they could.

Such attitudes and actions ought to characterize all of us who wear the name of Christ.

In His famous mountain message, Jesus told his followers that if you are asked to go a mile, go two miles (Matt. 5:41). Do more than is expected. And do it willingly and cheerfully. Christianity is a second mile religion.

The Second Great Commandment Jesus issued was “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:39). On another occasion He defined “your neighbor” in the parable of the Good Samaritan as anyone you chance to meet on life’s highway who needs your help (Lk. 10:25-37). The Samaritan went the extra mile. He helped a total stranger in need. He took his time, expended effort, and spent his own resources to aid the hurting man on the Jericho road. Jesus commands us, “Go, and do likewise.”

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers,” commanded the apostle Paul (Gal. 6:10).

Doing good may be just giving a thirsty stranger a cold glass of ice water (Matt. 10:42). It may be visiting someone in prison. Or attending to the needs of the sick. It could be lending aid to the homeless, the hurting, the disenfranchised in our society, whom Jesus calls “the least of these” (Matt. 25:34-40). Or it may be something as simple, but thoughtful, as holding the door open for someone carrying an armload of packages.

There are so many ways as Christians we can shine the light of the gospel, by being kind, offering help, providing reassurance, and even going the extra mile, above and beyond what is expected.

Amid our busy schedules and hectic lifestyles, let’s slow down a bit. Look around. Recognize opportunities for serving others. And do good.

Norma Jean and I sure are grateful some folks helped us board our flight and soothed some anxious moments we were feeling.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman