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.
いかに であるか 英語
雇用保険とは異なり、個々の労働者ごとの資格取得・地域における医療及び介護の総合的な確保の促進に関する法律第5条第1項に規定する市町村計画との整合性の確保が図られたものでなければならない(117条第9項)。 その城下町もまた重利によって整備され、後の繁栄の基となった。元は北条氏の配下だったが、今は流れ者。
new u Life Fda
Metlifecare later lowered the transfer charge.
Feel free to surf to my web page: new u Life Fda
먹튀검증 커뮤니티
10 Meetups On Toto You Should Attend 먹튀검증 커뮤니티
Situs Judi Daftar Langsung Dapat Bonus Tanpa Deposit 2022
I enjoy reading through a post that can make men and women think.
Also, many thanks for permitting me to comment!
Philadelphia Workers compensation lawyers
Select Munley Legislation Personal Injury Lawyer.
Look into my website; Philadelphia Workers compensation lawyers
Trusted providers for fence installation
Stand Strong Fencing
Nashville, Tennessee 37201, Unites Տtates
16154311511
Trusted providers for fence installation
hot bangla sex
This piece of writing is actually a nice one it assists new internet visitors, who
are wishing for blogging.
W3schools
Wow many of great knowledge!
Severance Agreement Solicitors
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful &
it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.
Double glazing bedfordshire
Five Qualities That People Search For In Every Upvc Windows Bedford Double glazing bedfordshire
Windows glass Repair
10 Shop Glass Repair Tricks All Experts Recommend Windows glass Repair
avatar one ai review
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this article and the rest of the site is really good.
garage flooring rolls
There are two basic types: coverings and finishings.
Also visit my website :: garage flooring rolls
toto4D
5 Killer Quora Answers To Toto4d toto4D
Octavia
A Relevant Rant About Free Standing Electric Fireplace black free standing
electric fireplace (Octavia)
Scranton workers compensation
Select Munley Legislation Injury Attorneys.
Review my homepage :: Scranton workers compensation
Bookmarks
Metlifecare later reduced the transfer fee.
Here is my website; Bookmarks
somaderm information
Metlifecare later on minimized the transfer charge.
Also visit my web site: somaderm information
Hurricane-Proof Window Repair
This Is The New Big Thing In Glazing Doctor Hurricane-Proof Window Repair
Roofing company near me prices
Prompt premium and professional service.
Feel free to surf to my web site: Roofing company near me prices
roofing company names uk
Prompt expert and top quality service.
Stop by my blog post – roofing company names uk
wheelchair car ramps
10 Best Facebook Pages That I’ve Ever Seen. Folding Wheelchair Ramp wheelchair car ramps
Wilkes-Barre workers compensation
Choose Munley Legislation Injury Attorneys.
Here is my web-site Wilkes-Barre workers compensation
Situs 4D
Guide To Situs 4d: The Intermediate Guide To Situs 4d Situs 4D
Bookmarks
Pick Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys.
Have a look at my web-site … Bookmarks
workers compensation lawyer
Select Munley Regulation Injury workers compensation lawyer.
new u life new product
Metlifecare later reduced the transfer cost.
Here is my blog post … new u life new product
new u life mlm
. This communication is from a debt collector.
Also visit my site :: new u life mlm
garage flooring options
There are 2 general kinds: layers and treatments.
my webpage garage flooring options
page
If you want to obtain a good deal from this article then you have
to apply such techniques to your won website.
Stop by my page; page
ダッチワイフ
エラストマの感触を存分に楽しむことができるラブドールセックス ロボットを販売している会社です。
roofing company austin texas
Prompt premium and expert solution.
My webpage roofing company austin texas
newulife fat loss product
Metlifecare later lowered the transfer charge.
Also visit my site – newulife fat loss product
Philadelphia workers compensation lawyers
Remember, not all injury law firms are the same.
Here is my web page – Philadelphia workers compensation lawyers
Roofing Company Near Me Free Estimate
Prompt top notch and specialist service.
Also visit my web-site – Roofing Company Near Me Free Estimate
Mostbet
Howdy! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give
a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading through your articles.
Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the
same topics? Thanks a lot!
my blog :: Mostbet
Best Water Filter Malaysia
Hello, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and
i was just curious if you get a lot of spam responses?
If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can recommend?
I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any assistance is
very much appreciated.
Scranton workers compensation
Choose Munley Regulation Accident Attorneys.
Here is my blog post: Scranton workers compensation
Bookmarks
Metlifecare later on minimized the transfer cost.
Here is my page: Bookmarks
roofing company name ideas
Trigger expert and premium service.
Also visit my web blog roofing company name ideas
Wilkes-Barre workers compensation
Select Munley Legislation Injury Lawyer.
my blog: Wilkes-Barre workers compensation
Bookmarks
There are two basic kinds: coatings and treatments.
Visit my homepage … Bookmarks
newulife jobs
Metlifecare later decreased the transfer charge.
my web blog; newulife jobs
new u life hgh reviews
Metlifecare later on decreased the transfer fee.
My page – new u life hgh reviews
roofing company Beaumont texas
Trigger expert and premium service.
Feel free to surf to my web page … roofing company Beaumont texas
Bookmarks
Pick Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys.
Feel free to visit my web blog – Bookmarks
testoprime reviews
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This piece
of writing posted at this website is really good.
Have a look at my web page testoprime reviews
newulife gel side effects
. This interaction is from a debt enthusiast.
Review my blog post; newulife gel side effects
fact18.com
Metal Ramps For Wheelchairs Tools To Streamline Your Everyday Life
aluminum wheelchair Ramp with Rails (fact18.com)
Deanna
15 Secretly Funny People Working In Realisticsex Doll
silicone realistic sex doll (Deanna)