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.
Syarat pengurusan PIRT 2024
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one today.
Bookmarks
Check the legal representative’s experience.
Here is my blog post :: Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Record the crash to your insurer.
Feel free to surf to my web site … Bookmarks
divorce attorney midland tx
USP human development hormone (somatropin).
Also visit my homepage :: divorce attorney midland tx
best seo services in ahmedabad
I always was interested best seo services in ahmedabad this topic and stock still am, thanks for posting.
Bookmarks
Personal injury as a result of auto mishaps.
Also visit my web page Bookmarks
golf simulator screen cost
High illumination level and great image high quality.
Check out my web site – golf simulator screen cost
Bookmarks
Carry out KYC and keep track of users deals.
Feel free to surf to my web site; Bookmarks
CBD is great for sleep
However, very few studies center on CBD is great for sleep and
sleep.
golf simulator and movie screen
High brightness level golf simulator and movie screen good picture
quality.
personal injury lawyers near me
Keep in mind, not all personal injury lawyers near me injury law office coincide.
Bookmarks
Easy and fast verification for your clients.
my page Bookmarks
Bookmarks
hello there and thank you for your information – I have certainly picked
up anything new from right here. I did however expertise
a few technical points using this site, since I experienced to reload the web site many times previous to
I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK?
Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times
will sometimes affect your placement in google and can damage your quality score if
advertising and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding
this RSS to my email and could look out for much more of your respective intriguing
content. Ensure that you update this again soon..
Here is my site; Bookmarks
Bookmarks
NewULife Ranks. Welcome to my NewUlife Testimonial.
Take a look at my webpage … Bookmarks
How To Find A Reputable Personal Injury Lawyer
Bear in mind, not all accident law firms are the same.
Review my web page; How To Find A Reputable Personal Injury Lawyer
Bookmarks
What is New U Life SOMADERM Transdermal Gel.
Feel free to surf to my website – Bookmarks
how to find a personal injury attorney near you
Learn more about both the company and the how to find a personal injury attorney near you.
Bookmarks
They look for settlement for sufferers of crashes.
Also visit my webpage – Bookmarks
porn daman game
Sex
best seo services near me
Howdy very nice site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your web
site and take the feeds additionally…I’m satisfied to seek out a lot of helpful info right
here within the publish, we need work out more strategies on this regard,
thanks for sharing.
my web-site; best seo services near me
crate and barrel sleeper sofa
Five Killer Quora Answers To Crate And Barrel Sleeper Sofa crate and barrel sleeper sofa
Bookmarks
Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this article is amazing, nice written and come with almost all significant infos.
I would like to peer extra posts like this .
Feel free to surf to my web site; Bookmarks
ai portrait generator free reddit
Allow me show you in my testimonial of NewULife.
Here is my blog post – ai portrait generator free reddit
which cbd gummies help with pain
To connect which cbd gummies help with pain Joy
Organics, log into Facebook.
identity verification process
Fast and straightforward confirmation for your consumers.
Also visit my webpage identity verification process
day care center
Hi, Neat post. There’s an issue together with your site in web explorer, would check this…
IE still is the market chief and a good component to
other folks will miss your excellent writing due to this problem.
Here is my page day care center
Personal Injury attorney near Me reviews
Examine the lawyer’s experience.
Here is my web-site Personal Injury attorney near Me reviews
Bookmarks
High illumination degree and excellent image quality.
Review my webpage – Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Your clients expect a one-click experience.
Look into my webpage Bookmarks
eco friendly takeaway coffee cups
We make use of recycled paper mugs made from wood pulp.
Here is my blog eco friendly takeaway coffee cups
Bookmarks
High illumination level and excellent photo top quality.
my web page; Bookmarks
ferrari smart Key
The Ferrari Key Programming Near Me Mistake That Every Beginner Makes ferrari smart Key
Personal injury lawyers Tyler Texas
Be familiar with both the legal representative and the company.
Here is my web page :: Personal injury lawyers Tyler Texas
how do you get a personal lawyer
Try to find exactly how do you get a personal lawyer the law practice responds to those testimonials.
Auto accident law In chicago
About Our Vehicle Crash Lawyers Scores.
My page: Auto accident law In chicago
Bookmarks
Inspect the legal representative’s experience.
Also visit my webpage: Bookmarks
Key Programming Near Me
Five Car Key Programing Lessons From The Pros Key Programming Near Me
identity verification standards
Coordinate identity verification standards confirmation checks,
code-free.
where to find lab roller ball mills
https://www.lab-mill.net/ko/靹鸽澕氙?氤?氚€-旮瓣硠/靹鸽澕氙?氤?氚€ 旮瓣硠
Bookmarks
Hey would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re utilizing?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different web browsers
and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you
suggest a good internet hosting provider at a honest price?
Many thanks, I appreciate it!
Also visit my web page … Bookmarks
ai picture generator reddit free
What is New U Life SOMADERM Transdermal Gel.
Here is my blog: ai picture generator reddit free
ai avatar generator reviews
Allow me reveal you in my testimonial of NewULife.
Also visit my blog; ai avatar generator reviews
how much does an injury lawyer cost
Personal how much does an injury lawyer cost situations consist of
clinical negligence cases.
eta australian visa application
Fine way of explaining, and pleasant post to obtain data concerning my presentation subject, which i am going to deliver in college.
beast iptv
Helpful stuff Thank you!
tài chính ngân hàng
That is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your feed and look forward to
looking for more of your excellent post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks
important site
Please let me know if you’re looking for a writer for your
weblog. You have some really good articles and I think I would be a
good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write
some articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please send me an e-mail if interested. Cheers!
Beverly
10 Websites To Aid You To Become A Proficient In Bunk Single Beds bunk beds two single (Beverly)
Volkswagen Car Keys
15 Facts Your Boss Wishes You Knew About Volkswagen Lost Keys Volkswagen Car Keys
ai profile picture generator free reddit
In this case, the life insurance policy firm’s loan.
my site … ai profile picture generator free reddit