We often see friendships as a benefit but rarely a necessity. The reality is that we were not meant to live life alone. For many of us stalled out in our faith, the problem is not that we don’t love Jesus, we’re just not surrounded by others who do as well. It’s time to go the second mile in needed friendships.

It’s that time of year when camp is happening, and many students are praying that the change lasts this time. Don’t waste the momentum. If you or your student ministry is growing in Christ, it doesn’t have to stop once you go home. It’s time to go the second mile in camp commitments.

Most aspiring individuals attempt to exalt themselves into higher positions of leadership. Jesus breaks the common paradigm by teaching that the humble wait to be exalted. Servants allow God to do the placement and timing. It’s time to go the second mile in patient placement.

Many of us struggle with a poor image of ourselves because we live in a culture that constantly showcases everyone’s filtered, glamorous snapshots of what seems to be perfect lives. It’s dangerous for our souls. It’s time to go the second mile in controlling comparison.

Many of the teenagers in our churches aren’t pursuing Christ passionately because we have not expected them to do so. Instead of lowering expectations, we ought to expect sincere followers of Jesus. It’s time to go the second mile in raising student ministry bars.

We are often unable to enjoy God’s gift of relationships now due to disappointments from failed connections in the past. If we are not careful, past letdowns will rob us of present possibilities. We must deal with the pain and not continue to overlook it. It’s time to go the second mile in confronting bitterness.

In our age of pseudo-community provided by digital technology, we are missing out on the connection we were designed to meet and need. If you struggle to find your footing right now, it may be because you aren’t standing beside others. It’s time to go the second mile in seeking community.

If we want our lives to inspire others, we not only need to provide motivation but also clarification. We must learn to teach others simply so that they know what needs to be done next, among a host of options. Make it clear for others. It’s time to go the second mile in providing simple steps.

If we do something well, we ought to do it not to be flashy, but because we want to be faithful to whatever God has called us to do. We are working for Jesus on behalf of the people for whom He died, so we should give our absolute best. It’s time to go the second mile in living with earnest excellence.

To be a disciple of Jesus Christ implies that you ought to be thinking of how your life can impact others. We must have a next man and next woman up type of mentality. In all areas of life, how can we lead that extends beyond ourselves? It’s time to go the second mile in creating multiplication mindsets.