Second Mile People

by Isobel Kuhn

Six "second-mile people" were friends and colleagues whose lives made a deep impression on Isobel Kuhn. These brief character studies of their spiritual lives offer vivid examples of lifestyle Christianity.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Christian, Christianity

155 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

In Finnish:
Isobel Kuhn (1901-1957) teki elämäntyönsä pääosin Lisu-heimon parissa Kiinan ja Burman raja-alueilla sekä Thaimaan pohjoisosassa. AREENALLA on persoonallinen kuvaus haastavasta työstä ja Jumalan johdatuksesta vaikeuksien keskellä. Elävästi kirjoitettu ETSIMÄSSÄ kertoo lähetystyötä edeltävästä ajasta, kun kristityn kodin kasvatti sanoutui irti lapsuusajan opetuksista, ryhtyi agnostikoksi ja yritti täyttää elämänsä tanssimisella, teatterilla ja seurustelulla. Sisäisen tyhjyyden kokeminen sai Isobelin kysymään Jumalan olemassaoloa ja etsimään todellista suhdetta Häneen. Jumala osoitti itsensä todeksi ja johti Isobelin "sumuisilta tasangoilta" siunatuille vuoripoluille - hän sai evankelistan kutsumuksen, kävi Moodyn perustaman raamattukoulun, ja lopulta - sille areenalle, missä hän sai olla todistamassa Jumalan tekoja Lisu-kansan parissa.

Reviews

[Susie]

Another great read! The importance of being a second mile person--pouring out everything as an offering to the Lord--is clearly delivered in this book. The impact of the lives of these 6 people was great upon Isobel's life and will be on all who read it. It encourages me to follow God to the untracked land of His will for my life. I recommend it for anyone who has been, will be, or is interested in living on the foreign field or anyone desiring to serve God in an abundant way. We should all be striving to go the extra distance beyond the one mile that is requested of us.

[Shorel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The principle of the "second-mile" is interesting and counterintuitive to human nature.

"And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." - Matthew 5:41

We as followers of the Most High God, must go the second-mile. Even when it's unjust. When it's unfair. When it's uncomfortable. This is something I needed to hear in my life lately as I watch the weeks pass by while the unjust situation in my life remains unresolved. I need only remember that I am forced the first mile, whole I am actually called to go the second-mile. Who am I to say back to God, "I want to have justice NOW!"

"God is content to wait because he reigneth; man must be content to wait because he believeth."

So I will wait, knowing that God is in control, knowing that my task is personal (and family) holiness, not productivity.

There are other great practicalities for the follower of the Most High in this book as it shows glimpses of 6 people who have been great influences in Isobel Kuhn's life.

Quotes I take away:

"Every M should come to the field with two weapons in his warfare against heathenism. In his left hand he should wield the weapon of prayer, and in his right hand the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God."

"We fall in defeat when we try to 'judge' the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives; ours is to yield to him in joyous faith, and not worry as to the kind or values of the fruit he is producing."

"'I think that is Saint's secret...he takes time to feed on the word.' The only safe way to avoid pitfalls at home or in China, is to keep close to the source independent of other's actions of opinions." (My interpretation of this: God comes primary. EVERY THING ELSE is subsidiary. Be a Mary. Not a Martha. Sit at Jesus' feet every day and every spare moment you get as you labor hard at the task he has given you.)

[Jenny Sanders]

Isobel Kuhn outlines the lives and interactions she had with six missionary colleagues during the 1930s in Asia including the famous JO Fraser, missioner to the Lisu poeple. Yes, it's a bit dated, but how encouraging to find that the same struggles we have with the costly demands of authentically following Jesus, have been faced and overcome by others before us, often in far more stretching circumstances.

Going the second-mile is a phrase in common usage but it's not quite so common in three-dimensional reality. These portraits indicate that all six grasped the concept of 'loving not their lives unto death'; we, more often, 'love not our lives unto inconvenience'... So, a timely call to reassess priorities perhaps.

[Christina Buhler · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a deeper read but very challenging!!

[Andreas Stump · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth the read! Intriguing writing style! Inspires you to go the “second mile” without telling you so directly.

[Judith Brans - Donker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another inspiring, moving, uplifting book from Isobel that makes me want to change.

[Bethany Joy Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and challenging! What an amazing book that pleads for us to go the second mile in our Christianity/walk with Jesus. Truly loved the book. Highly recommend!

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt that this was a bit fragmented and hard to read.
You probably need to know much more about the CIM, and Isobel and her colleagues to decipher much of what has been written.
Nevertheless, we get a glimpse into the lives of these missionaries in the first half of the 20th century.

[Bro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! I am now an official Isobel Khun fan. What a great job on this book. It was written in the 1930's and not discovered until the 1980's. It was a journey through the lives of those around her throughout her life. She had many experiences in China as she worked with CIM. She views many around her as "Second-Mile People". People who go beyond the expected status quo and do the "second-mile" as Jesus taught His disciples to do to show they were followers of God and not a religion. I thought Mrs. Khun was transparent about her personal feelings and the weaknesses she had. We would not see them and only see the sacrifice. She looked beyond what others may think of her and saw herself as compared to Christ. Something I do not do enough of. I have given up nothing compared to any of those written about in this book. I do not think they were super-christians. I think they were normal people who gave up themselves and their status to go the expected second-mile we all should go in order to win some in this world. I plan to read and grow more. I recommend this book and "In the Arena".

[Rachel L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book, as is typical for Isobel Kuhn. This is a collection of short biographies of Christians who had a special impact on the Kuhns' lives, people who gladly did more than was required of them.

[Dan Sr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kuhn writes about some special people that ministered to her. Oh to be such a person for His kingdom!

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

auf Deutsch gelesen: "Menschen der zweiten Meile".

[Jennifer Bowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anything by Isobel Kuhn is worth a read.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read all of the Isobel Kuhn books when I first heard of her ministry among the Lisu people in China. I found this book in the seminary library; I didn't know that it existed. I love Isobel's writing style. She's a good storyteller without making the protagonist too unapproachable.
This book is a little gem: highlighting the impact of people whom she worked with - the second mile people. Finding second mile people is not easy, even on the mission field where I currently serve. There is much to learn so much by working with folk like these, and even if I can't find too many, I have to cultivate my own character and learn to be a second mile person.