I am always amazed at the excitement and nervousness from those going on their first short-term mission trip, most of the time they don’t know enough to know what they need to be nervous about. There is an excitement in their eyes as they head into the unknown. They prepare testimonies and lessons, not knowing how God will use them or if they will be effective. They pack what is recommended and wonder if it will be enough. They comfort their parents and loved ones, and try to reassure them everything is going to be alright, while at the same time not knowing what the future holds. But through leading and prayer, the journey begins.
A lot of mission team members, especially those who have never been on mission before usually become broken spiritually sometime during the week of the trip. They discover a new outlook on sharing, faith, trust, and God. Why is this? It is simple, during the week they are constantly hearing the word of God either from others sharing or through the preaching or their own study. They also see the word of God come to life. That doesn’t mean that the bible gets up and starts walking around. But they see the Spirit of God begin to work in the lives of the people they come in contact with. They walk the streets with a single purpose, to find the person of peace with whom they can share the good news of the gospel. Some are hit with the hard truth that not all will accept the gospel, so they plant a seed not knowing the condition of the soil. Other times they begin to pour out water onto unknown soil, unaware that a seed exist and has been waiting for the moisture that God will use to bring it to life. They get excited and don’t know what to do when out of the ground springs forth life. A miracle, they get to see cold dead bones come to life. After that experience, they have a drive to share and no longer need to be pushed in front of people to share with. Oh what it would have been like in Acts to walk the streets and see God work, bringing people to life through the proclamation of the Gospel. But wait, could that still happen? And could it happen here?
After returning home and a couple weeks of rest, life returns to normal. The mission was accomplished, people were saved and now we are back comfortable, safe, fed, and loved. Or are we? There is always a sense of completion at the end of a mission trip. Not that that would be wrong in the short term, but there is a since of that was where we were on mission at, but now we are back and we have things to get done. Real stuff, school, work, friends, problems, and you know life. Right?
One of the greatest tragedies we have is short-term missions. I know you saw a bunch of people get saved, and God really “showed up”, but stay with me. There is a since of awe and wonder during the week of a mission trip. And we look forward to the next year when we can go and feel that same since of awe and wonder. But let’s compare it to a race shall we. Anyone who runs foot races understands that you have different splits. These are markers throughout the race to gauge your progress, and to ensure you are on pace. A short-term mission trip is sort of like a split. It is a time to see if you are where you need to be in your spiritual life, in your reading and study of the word, apologetics, doctrines, and if you can articulate them to the world around you. The shortness of the week gives you the opportunity to push yourself hard and to evaluate yourself. The tragedy is that the short-term is looked at, as the race itself. We return with a sense that we ran and will rest up to run again next year.
The race however is not over. In fact it is just beginning. When you return home, it is like passing the first mile marker. The street is no longer filled with cheering fans, the road narrows, and the reality of the race sets in. Here is where we must work our hardest. This is where we must pull from prayer and scripture, the strength to press on. Where most might sit and rest, we must run to win. We don’t just return to normal life, we return with a renewed sense of awe for what God has been doing and we must now trust even more so that He will continue His work. We saw on foreign soil God work in others lives. Now we must trust that He will work in ours for His glory and to reach those around us. We are home; this is where we must turn from our sins, where we must love God more than mother and father, more than friends and things. This is where we live out what we preach, if we believe that which we have taught. Did we believe it? Do we believe it? If so, then are we disciplined for the miles ahead? Paul tells the church at Corinth “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified”. Are we disqualified or are we still in the race?
There are no short-term missionaries; there are only missionaries in different context. When we return to our Jerusalem, let us seek the hope that is only found in Christ. Let us not lean on our own understanding, our own wisdom, which is foolishness. Let us not fall victim to busyness and the lure of shiny objects that promise fulfillment. Let our knees be worn out for those nearest to us. Let our time be determined by the cross and His call, trusting that He will provide the time for work, family, fun, and ministry, as we continue the race. We have found our greatest joy in walking by faith; let us not check our faith with Homeland Security as we return home. But let us be reminded daily where our ultimate security is found and where our joy is greatest. Wherever you woke up at, wherever you find yourself, wherever you stand today, then that is your mission field. Time to get running.
Bookmarks
This vaporizer has a couple of special features.
my site … Bookmarks
Electric wheelchair Power chair
10 Mobile Apps That Are The Best For Lightest Electric Wheelchair Uk Electric wheelchair Power chair
plant based vape juice
This vaporizer has a couple of special features.
My blog post plant based vape juice
Bookmarks
Allow me show you in my testimonial of NewULife.
Feel free to surf to my web site: Bookmarks
foil Drive assist max
The bigger Slim battery, great for longer runtimes.
Here is my website: foil Drive assist max
chapter 11 bankruptcy texas
Arizona has one district for personal chapter 11 bankruptcy texas filings.
Bookmarks
Call our Arizona bankruptcy regulation workplace today.
my webpage :: Bookmarks
european auto repair shops near Me
Authentic HGH Benefits (NewULife Hgh Gel Not Evaluated Yet).
Here is my web page; european auto repair shops near Me
replacement windows tyler texas
USP human growth hormone (somatropin).
Visit my page :: replacement windows tyler texas
custom replacement windows online
They have items to offer or solutions to offer.
Here is my web page; custom replacement windows online
visit here
I wish to express my respect for your kind-heartedness supporting all those that need guidance on this important content. Your personal dedication to getting the message all over was remarkably insightful and have consistently helped regular people much like me to arrive at their dreams. Your important key points can mean a lot to me and additionally to my peers. Thank you; from everyone of us.
Bookmarks
A synthetic USP human growth hormonal agent (somatropin).
my homepage – Bookmarks
Bookmarks
They have products to market or solutions to supply.
Stop by my blog post; Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Unlike other specialists, we value your time.
Also visit my web site :: Bookmarks
infantile spasms when sleeping
There are numerous sources of infantile spasms when sleeping convulsions.
Texas Ranch Wedding Venue
XYGENYX, a licensing company for FDA-registered items.
my website Texas Ranch Wedding Venue
Immigrating to Mexico
Just desire to say your article is as surprising.
The clarity in your post is simply cool and i can assume you are an expert on this subject.
Fine with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post.
Thanks a million and please keep up the rewarding work.
ceramic Pottery artists
They have products to offer or services to supply.
My site; ceramic Pottery artists
cheap ranch wedding venues texas
XYGENYX, a licensing company for FDA-registered items.
My blog … cheap ranch wedding venues texas
south texas rustic wedding venues
A synthetic USP human growth hormonal agent (somatropin).
Here is my site :: south texas rustic wedding venues
infantile spasms video example
A baby can have as many as 100 infantile spasms video example a day.
Denseigip
Mysimba – Quick and Easy Weight Lass
Mysimba is a medicine used along with diet and exercise to help manage weight in adults:
who are obese (have a body-mass index – BMI – of 30 or more);
who are overweight (have a BMI between 27 and 30) and have weight-related complications such as diabetes, abnormally high levels of fat in the blood, or high blood pressure.
BMI is a measurement that indicates body weight relative to height.
Mysimba contains the active substances naltrexone and bupropion.
https://cutt.ly/RezL73vz
Pasang IndiHome Aja
Incredible story there. What occurred after? Take care!
volkswagen service timeline
An artificial USP human development hormonal agent (somatropin).
Have a look at my web-site; volkswagen service timeline
Bookmarks
An infant can have as lots of as 100 convulsions a day.
my webpage Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Allow me reveal you in my evaluation of NewULife.
my blog: Bookmarks
Bookmarks
This vaporizer has a couple of one-of-a-kind functions.
Also visit my page; Bookmarks
Bookmarks
USP human development hormonal agent (somatropin).
my blog … Bookmarks
are chapter 13 bankruptcies discharged
A lot of Phase are chapter 13 bankruptcies discharged strategies should be 3 to 5 years
long.
modular sectional Couch
What’s The Job Market For Modular Sectional Couch Professionals?
modular sectional Couch
replacement windows costco
A synthetic USP human growth hormonal agent (somatropin).
Also visit my web blog; replacement windows costco
bankruptcy lawyers austin texas
Finest Arizona Criminal Protection Attorney.
Take a look at my homepage: bankruptcy lawyers austin texas
somaderm amazon
Our know-how reaches massive business tasks.
Here is my site somaderm amazon
Bookmarks
They have items to market or services to use.
Also visit my homepage Bookmarks
rollators With Seat
How To Know If You’re Prepared For Rollator Seats rollators With Seat
Painting Service
Nice response in return of this issue with solid arguments and explaining the whole thing about that.
Bookmarks
In this instance, the life insurance policy business’s cash.
My web blog; Bookmarks
home theater projector screen
Authentic HGH Perks (NewULife Hgh Gel Not Evaluated Yet).
Here is my web-site – home theater projector screen
Bookmarks
Get in touch with Arizona bankruptcy law office now.
Here is my webpage – Bookmarks
Bookmarks
XYGENYX, a licensing firm for FDA-registered items.
Also visit my web blog … Bookmarks
new u life how to apply
Our experience includes massive industrial tasks.
my homepage – new u life how to apply
power wheelchair ramps
Ten Ways To Build Your Wheelchair Ramp Folding Empire power wheelchair ramps
why does my baby have spasms while sleeping
A child can why does my baby have spasms while sleeping as several as 100 convulsions a day.
cheap wedding venues in texas
cheap wedding venues in texas this instance,
the life insurance company’s money.
Bookmarks
The IQ is the best dry herb vape I have actually attempted.
Check out my website: Bookmarks
Bookmarks
In this situation, the life insurance policy business’s loan.
my web page :: Bookmarks
replacement window sticker texas
XYGENYX, a licensing firm for FDA-registered items.
Stop by my website replacement window sticker texas
home theater seating riser
XYGENYX, a licensing firm for FDA-registered products.
Here is my page; home theater seating riser
plant based Meat Alternatives uk
Some individuals vape flavored pure nicotine
Feel free to visit my blog … plant based Meat Alternatives uk
composite doors in eastleigh
The 10 Most Scariest Things About Composite Doors In Eastleigh
composite doors in eastleigh