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.
organic cbd gummies for sleep
organic cbd gummies for sleep gummies claims
to deal with the benefits of CBD.
ferrari shoes
Hello i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anyplace, when i read this article i thought
i could also create comment due to this sensible post.
child protection
hello there and thank you for your information – 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 site lots of times previous to I could get
it to load properly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK?
Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances
times will often affect your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if advertising
and marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my email and could look out for
much more of your respective interesting content.
Make sure you update this again very soon..
Here is my site child protection
digital marketing tips
I get pleasure from, lead to I discovered exactly what I used to be taking a look for.
You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day.
Bye
Here is my web blog – digital marketing tips
Bookmarks
Howdy, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just wondering
if you get a lot of spam remarks? If so how do you protect against it,
any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any support is very much appreciated.
My web site: Bookmarks
energy efficiency program manager
Your average annual electricity consumption.
Also visit my homepage … energy efficiency program manager
igaming ppc company
Hi! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 3gs!
Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts!
Carry on the fantastic work!
Also visit my blog post :: igaming ppc company
Cash Offer for Your Land
Great write ups. Kudos!
Harriett
1kg Coffee Beans How Many Cups Tools To Help You Manage Your Daily
Life 1kg Coffee Beans How Many Cups Technique Every Person Needs
To Learn 1kg coffee beans (Harriett)
Jared
Solar energy efficiency definition iea – Jared, is clean. Gas plans
are a lot simpler.
JosephDriet
Comment puis-je gagner des points промокод на 1хбет зеркало на сегодня?
Dans le bookmaker 1xbet en tant qu’encouragement des clients pour leur participation active au processus de jeu, ils fournissent des points promotionnels dans le cadre du programme de fidelite. Vous pouvez obtenir des points pour les Paris sportifs reguliers, Express, pour la reconstitution reguliere du compte et la participation aux actions du bookmaker.
Bookmarks
Hi there, just wanted to mention, I loved this post. It was funny.
Keep on posting!
my web-site :: Bookmarks
the differing costs of child care facilities
I drop a comment whenever I especially enjoy a article on a website or I have
something to contribute to the discussion. Usually it is triggered by the passion communicated in the article I looked at.
And on this article Short term missions are not the differing costs of child care facilities race –
The Hus Report. I was actually excited enough to write a leave a responsea response 😛
I actually do have 2 questions for you if it’s allright.
Is it simply me or do a few of these comments come across like they are left by brain dead individuals?
😛 And, if you are posting on other online social sites, I’d like to keep up with
everything fresh you have to post. Could you list all of all
your community pages like your Facebook page,
twitter feed, or linkedin profile?
Bookmarks
Wow! This can be one particular of the most useful blogs We have ever arrive across on this
subject. Actually Wonderful. I am also a specialist in this topic therefore I can understand your hard work.
My site; Bookmarks
child care networks
My spouse and I stumbled over here different web address and
thought I might as well check things out.
I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to looking over your web page again.
my website child care networks
start a daycare
Appreciate it for helping out, wonderful information.
Stop by my web site – start a daycare
Daycare Childcare
I read this piece of writing completely on the topic of the comparison of most up-to-date and earlier technologies,
it’s remarkable article.
Also visit my webpage Daycare Childcare
parents find daycare
Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem together with your web site in internet
explorer, would test this… IE still is the marketplace chief and a big part of people will
pass over your magnificent writing due to this problem.
my web site; parents find daycare
pet care center
I write a leave a response whenever I like a article on a website
or I have something to add to the discussion. It’s a result of
the sincerness displayed in the article I browsed.
And after this post Short term missions are not the race – The Hus Report.
I was excited enough to post a comment 🙂 I do have 2 questions for
you if it’s okay. Could it be only me or do some of these responses come across like written by brain dead people?
😛 And, if you are writing on additional sites, I would like to keep
up with anything new you have to post. Would you list every one of
all your communal sites like your linkedin profile,
Facebook page or twitter feed?
my website; pet care center
igaming affiliate program
Everyone loves what you guys are usually up too. This sort of clever work
and exposure! Keep up the good works guys I’ve
you guys to my own blogroll.
Feel free to surf to my web site; igaming affiliate program
start a daycare business
Deference to op, some superb information.
my web blog; start a daycare business
Myron
In its natural state, organic cbd gummies without thc (Myron) oil
has an earthy taste.
solar energy world
solar energy world energy is clean. Gas plans are a
lot simpler.
Bookmarks
Yes, solar panels will continue to work in the winter.
My site: Bookmarks
the differing costs of child care facilities
It’s actually a cool and useful piece the differing costs of child care facilities info.
I’m glad that you shared this useful info with us.
Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
child care center testimonials
Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your web site in web explorer, would check this…
IE still is the market chief and a big component of people will leave out your magnificent writing because of this problem.
My web blog: child care center testimonials
rocky point urgent care
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish.
nonetheless, you command get got an nervousness over that you wish be delivering
the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as
exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this
increase.
My blog post: rocky point urgent care
Psychiatrist adhd near me
See What Psychiatrist Adhd Near Me Tricks The Celebs Are Making Use Of Psychiatrist adhd near me
child care network
Appreciate it for helping out, excellent
info.
my blog … child care network
childcare center
It’s really a great and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you simply shared this useful info with us.
Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Feel free to visit my web blog; childcare center
Cash for Land Estates
Awesome information Thanks a lot.
energy efficient door tax credit 2022
Solar energy efficient door tax credit 2022 is clean. Gas plans are a lot simpler.
moving home set up electricity
It’s easy to get a business moving home set up electricity quote today.
compare business electricity plans nsw
No compare business electricity plans nsw is too big or
small for Quick Electricity.
Bookmarks
I was very happy to discover this web site. I wanted to thank you for
ones time for this particularly wonderful read!!
I definitely liked every bit of it and I have you book marked to see new stuff
on your web site.
Here is my site :: Bookmarks
Moving house electrical testing
Solar energy systems come in all shapes and sizes.
Also visit my web-site – Moving house electrical testing
solar energy advantages
Yes, solar energy advantages panels will continue to work in the winter.
start daycare
Hi, Neat post. There’s an issue with your site in internet explorer, may check this…
IE still is the market chief and a large portion of other people will miss your wonderful writing due to this problem.
my page: start daycare
child care facilities
I am sure this article has touched all the internet users, its really really fastidious piece of writing on building up new web site.
my web page child care facilities
Carmela
Solar energy is clean. Gas plans are a lot simpler.
my web-site :: best business electricity rates (Carmela)
cbd gummies for sale at cvs
The FDA has not approved any other cbd gummies for sale at cvs drug products.
triple loft bunk Bed
Are You Responsible For A Loft Bed Frame Budget? 10 Ways To Waste
Your Money triple loft bunk Bed
how to get diagnosed with adhd in adulthood
This Week’s Most Remarkable Stories Concerning ADHD Undiagnosed
In Adults how to get diagnosed with adhd in adulthood
whole family
I read this paragraph completely about the resemblance of most recent and preceding technologies,
it’s remarkable article.
Stop by my webpage – whole family
best energy plans texas
Most heat from the sun arrives as infrared best energy plans texas.
igaming content writing
I just could not leave your web site before suggesting that I really enjoyed the usual info a person supply on your guests?
Is going to be again continuously in order to check up on new posts
My website :: igaming content writing
Bookmarks
This brand uses organic hemp to make all its products.
Feel free to surf to my blog :: Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Business electricity supplier where you are.
my web site: Bookmarks
سایت رسمی طوفان بت
پلتفرم ToofanBet بهعنوان یکی از قابلاعتمادترین سایتهای شرطبندی آنلاین در دنیای شرطبندی دیجیتال شناخته میشود.
این سایت با هدف ارائه خدمات متنوع
و نوین در بازیهای کازینو آنلاین،
پیشبینیهای ورزشی و بازیهای بلادرنگ، موفق به جلب
توجه تعداد زیادی از مخاطبان شده است.
ویژگی خاص این پلتفرم، تمرکز
بر ارائه تجربهای هیجانانگیز
و منحصربهفرد برای کاربران
به دنیای شرطبندی میباشد.
SEO services for general contractors
Incredible tons of useful facts.