Making Miles for the Gospel

If this content resonates with you, share your thoughts in the comments below.

How many miles have you traveled in your lifetime?

Kelly Blue Book reports, “The average American drove about 12,200 miles in 2023, with daily commuting as the main factor.”

Meanwhile, when it comes to just walking, The Sun reported information in 2020 that it found "[The] average adult will walk almost 75,000 miles over their lifetime – the equivalent of [traveling] around the world [three] times. This is approximately 1,182 miles each year or 74,462 miles over the average lifetime."

With stats like these, there’s no doubt: whether we are commuting to work, traveling, or mamas making sure lunches are packed and appointments kept – our bodies cover countless miles in our lifetimes.

On a recent family drive, I began thinking about all the trips we had taken together. We’ve been everywhere from Orlando, Florida, to Oahu, Hawaii. I can’t imagine how many miles we’ve personally covered in just our vacation adventures.

But on this drive, my mind also drifted to the apostle Paul and all of the steps and miles he took for the cause of Christ.

In Scripture, we are told many times that he traveled. A few instances include:

When he and Barnabas went to Cyprus and other surrounding regions (Acts 13-14).
Visits to Macedonia and Ephesus (Acts 19).
His adventures in Rome (Acts 28).

Paul was a mover!

With no car, plane, motorized boat, or bike – Paul put in thousands of steps or sailed to carry the gospel of Christ to the areas that needed it. Not to mention, if he wasn’t personally traveling, he was writing to those who needed encouragement.

What would have happened if he had refused?

Sure, the Lord didn’t have to use Paul specifically. He could have used anyone to get that specific job done. But instead, he chose Paul. Without his obedience, the early church would look much different.

All the time, energy, and money he spent traveling for Christ was because he knew and believed in the one true God. And because of his diligence, he changed the world for the sake of his Savior.

What would we do if the Lord also asked us to take those same steps and travel strictly to advance the gospel?

Many of us would squirm at the thought.

At the end of the day, when it comes to anything off the beaten path – or our calendar’s plans – we don’t have time or want to put the extra miles on our cars, hearts, or minds.

But my dear friend, the call has been commissioned.

In Matthew 28:19-20, we were given one of the greatest commands. It states:

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Our world needs more men and women like Paul, people who are willing to wholeheartedly love and follow Christ while caring for those in need.

Think about it: What would happen if we shared the gospel every day? What if we visited the little old shut-in down the street and took them a treat? Or wrote letters to prisoners, offering hope and good words? How different would our culture be if we took the extra mile to encourage those who are hurting with the good news of Christ?

If each Christ follower chose to follow the Great Commission daily, together, we would make a greater difference for the gospel.

For those of us who believe in Him, we have been equipped to do as He has asked – we only have to be willing to take action.

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:15-18).

Please Note: We moderate all reader comments, usually within 24 hours of posting (longer on weekends). Please limit your comment to 300 words or less and ensure it addresses the content. Comments that contain a link (URL), an inordinate number of words in ALL CAPS, rude remarks directed at the author or other readers, or profanity/vulgarity will not be approved.