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.
child care centers
We stumbled over here from a different web page and thought I might check things out.
I like what I see so now i’m following you.
Look forward to exploring your web page for a second time.
Here is my page – child care centers
day care center neglect
Hey there would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re working with?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely 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?
Thanks, I appreciate it!
My web blog – day care center neglect
Privately owned Centers
Hi there very nice website!! Man .. Excellent .. Wonderful ..
I will bookmark your site and take the feeds also?I’m satisfied
to seek out so many useful information right here in the post, we want work out extra techniques on this
regard, thank you for sharing.
My website: Privately owned Centers
solar energy advantages
Most heat from the sun arrives as infrared solar energy advantages.
day care facility
Whats up very cool blog!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing
.. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally?I am satisfied to seek out so many useful information right here in the
publish, we want work out extra techniques on this regard,
thanks for sharing.
Here is my blog – day care facility
Bookmarks
The amount of CBD in each gummy depends on the brand.
Also visit my webpage Bookmarks
vegetable based vape juice
The intelligence is the best completely dry natural herb vegetable based vape juice
I have attempted.
Energy Conservation Examples
It’s easy to get a business electricity quote today.
Check out my blog Energy Conservation Examples
compare energy plans
The length of your business electricity contract.
Feel free to surf to my blog compare energy plans
best energy plans melbourne
It’s time to look into best energy plans melbourne comparison.
solar energy advantages and disadvantages quizlet
Most heat from the sun arrives as infrared solar energy advantages and disadvantages quizlet.
energy efficiency programs california
Solar energy efficiency programs california is clean. Gas plans are a lot simpler.
day care facility
It’s really a cool and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you simply shared this helpful information with
us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for
sharing.
Have a look at my webpage :: day care facility
divorce attorney tx
What is New U Life SOMADERM Transdermal Gel.
Check out my blog divorce attorney tx
Bookmarks
Simply put, solar energy is energy from the sun.
my webpage; Bookmarks
energy efficiency and conservation block grant
Both suppliers offer 100% renewable energy efficiency and conservation block grant.
energy plan Comparison texas
Your average annual electricity consumption.
my homepage: energy plan Comparison texas
organic cbd gummies private label
Check out some of our favorite organic cbd gummies private label gummies for sleep.
head lice
hey there and thank you for your info – I have definitely picked up something new
from right here. I did however expertise some technical points using
this web site, since I experienced to reload the web site
a lot of times previous to I could get it to load correctly.
I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK?
Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.
Anyway I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for much more of your respective intriguing content.
Make sure you update this again very soon..
Feel free to surf to my blog – head lice
vegan Vape juice Brands
Some people vegan Vape juice Brands flavorful
pure nicotine
reviews on somaderm hgh gel
Unlike various other specialists, we value your time.
Feel free to visit my webpage :: reviews on somaderm hgh gel
somaderm pyramid
Unlike other specialists, we value your time.
Feel free to surf to my blog somaderm pyramid
where can you buy vapes in australia
The vapor and flavor top quality is additionally wonderful.
Look at my blog post: where can you buy vapes in australia
Bookmarks
Let me reveal you in my testimonial of NewULife.
Also visit my site: Bookmarks
lakeside hotel & spa newby bridge cumbria la12 8at
Areas have sights over Lake Windermere or our yards.
My website; lakeside hotel & spa newby bridge cumbria la12 8at
plant based alternative to vaping
Portable vaporizers utilize batteries as a source of power.
Feel free to visit my site plant based alternative to vaping
Bookmarks
I’m very pleased to discover this page. I wanted to thank you for your time
for this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every part of it and
i also have you book marked to see new stuff in your web site.
Look into my blog post :: Bookmarks
family law attorney texas
What is New U Life SOMADERM Transdermal Gel.
Look at my website – family law attorney texas
care costs
Deference to author, some excellent entropy.
my web blog: care costs
Bookmarks
Hello, Neat post. There is an issue together with your site in internet explorer, may test this…
IE still is the marketplace leader and a good part of folks will pass over your
excellent writing because of this problem.
my homepage: Bookmarks
child care insurance
I read this paragraph completely about the comparison of most recent and previous technologies, it’s
remarkable article.
my web-site … child care insurance
Bookmarks
Areas have views over Lake Windermere or our yards.
My blog :: Bookmarks
Jasa PIRT Surabaya terpercaya
Its like you read my mind! You seem to grasp a lot about this, such as you wrote the e-book in it or something. I feel that you simply could do with some p.c. to drive the message house a bit, but other than that, this is excellent blog. A great read. I will certainly be back.
lakeside hotel & spa newby bridge cumbria la12 8at
Areas have sights over Lake Windermere or our gardens.
Here is my webpage lakeside hotel & spa newby bridge cumbria la12 8at
canadian plant based meat companies
The intelligence is the very best completely dry natural herb vape I have tried.
Stop by my web blog – canadian plant based meat companies
quality child
I was more than happy to find this page. I need to to thank you for ones time for this particularly wonderful read!!
I definitely appreciated every little bit of it and i also have you saved to fav to check out new things in your site.
Check out my web blog … quality child
plant based vape canada
Some individuals plant based vape canada flavorful
pure nicotine
LA Medical Malpractice Legal Rights
Amazing information, Kudos!
family law attorney athens texas
A synthetic USP human development hormonal agent (somatropin).
Feel free to visit my website family law attorney athens texas
is somaderm hgh gel safe
Our proficiency includes massive industrial projects.
Here is my web blog – is somaderm hgh gel safe
plant based vape australia
Some individuals plant based vape australia flavorful pure nicotine
Bookmarks
Plant-based vapes have a host of possible advantages.
my web site – Bookmarks
bunk Bed and desk Combo
This Is The Complete Listing Of L Shape Single Beds Dos And Don’ts bunk Bed and desk Combo
www.hottabych-auto.ru/
I am not positive the place you’re getting your information, however
good topic. I must spend some time learning more or understanding more.
Thank you for fantastic info I was in search of this information for my mission.
energy efficient door tax credit 2022
Solar panels and the associated wiring take up space.
My blog post; energy efficient door tax credit 2022
plant based meat alternatives uk
The IQ is the best dry natural herb vape I have attempted.
My website – plant based meat alternatives uk
solar energy world maryland
solar energy world maryland energy is clean. Gas plans are a lot simpler.
Bookmarks
USP human growth hormonal agent (somatropin).
Stop by my page: Bookmarks
solar energy world lawsuit
The average cost to move an electric meter of $675.
Also visit my webpage – solar energy world lawsuit
lakeside hotel & spa newby Bridge cumbria la12 8at
Areas have sights over Lake Windermere or our gardens.
my web page – lakeside hotel & spa newby Bridge cumbria la12 8at