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.
ダッチワイフ
I think in most cases,they don’t even do it on purpose.ダッチワイフ
ダッチワイフ
The erotic times may appear just a little tame by later standards初音 ミク ラブドール Nonetheless they have been especially daring again from the day.
リアルラブドール
um and SexDolls subreddit. With arguably the best customer エロ 人形service out there and large collection of sex dolls, you can’t go wrong with any of them
リアルラブドール
ドール エロmen are on average bigger and stronger than women and can overpower them physically.“Anatomy is destiny,
ダッチワイフ
you and your partner will need to create a climate in which open communication feels safe.オナドールThis post is based on my latest book,
リアルドール
女性 用 ラブドールpreteen,or teen riding in the car with a new driver,
skoda octavia key replacement
Beware Of These “Trends” Concerning Skoda Fabia Replacement Key skoda octavia key replacement
リアルラブドール
parents should be made aware that there are,unfortunately,ラブドール
リアルラブドール
えろ 人形honoring,and submitting to the Self,
olxtoto
I’m gone to say to my little brother, that he should also visit this blog on regular basis to get updated from hottest
information.
m98 เครดิตฟรี 188
Hi there, constantly i used to check webpage posts
here in the early hours in the break of day, because i like to find out more and more.
Bifold Door Repair
You’ll Never Guess This Bifold Door Repair Near Me’s Secrets Bifold Door Repair
成人影片
I have been browsing online more than 2 hours today, yet I never
found any interesting article like yours.
It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all website
owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.
Feel free to visit my homepage: 成人影片
willysforsale.com
14 Questions You Shouldn’t Be Anxious To
Ask Car Lockouts how to open car door without keys (willysforsale.com)
bokep ngentot anak smp
I like reading through an article that will make men and women think.
Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
single coffee Maker
15 Incredible Stats About Single Coffee Brewer single coffee Maker
evisa vietnam embassy
My family every time say that I am wasting my
time here at web, but I know I am getting familiarity all the time by reading thes fastidious articles.
bokep dosen dan mahasiswa ngentot di hotel
Howdy! This blog post couldn’t be written any better!
Looking at this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
He continually kept talking about this. I will send this article to
him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a very good read. Many thanks for
sharing!
Driving instructor Leicester
I have learn several excellent stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting.
I surprise how a lot effort you place to create this kind of wonderful informative website.
Bifold door glass Replacement
See What Bifold Door Glass Replacement Cost Tricks The Celebs Are Using Bifold door glass Replacement
my site
I read this article fully about the resemblance of most up-to-date and previous technologies,
it’s awesome article.
espèces de truffes
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and
i am really pleassant to read all at alone place.
visit my website
Wow, amazing blog format! How lengthy have you ever
been blogging for? you made running a blog look easy. The whole look of your web site
is excellent, let alone the content material!
sliding glass Patio doors repair
7 Secrets About Aluminium Patio Door Repairs That Nobody Will Tell You sliding glass Patio doors repair
longisland.com
15 Terms That Everyone In The Folding Incline Treadmill Uk
Industry Should Know under bed treadmill with incline (longisland.com)
đồng hồ thời trang nữ cao cấp
Dߋ you mind if I quote a couple ⲟf your articles as long as I proνide credit annd soսyrces badk
to your site? My blog is iin the very same area of interest as yours aand mу visitgors would truly benefit from a loot of the informztion yoou provide here.
Please let mе know iif this okay with you. Ƭhanks!
my blooɡ … đồng hồ thời trang nữ cao cấp
is it worth getting an adhd diagnosis
The Most Inspirational Sources Of How To Get An ADHD Diagnosis
is it worth getting an adhd diagnosis
ラブドール
Not all distributors are developed equivalent during the customization Division.初音 ミク ラブドール Here’s a look at how numerous top rated vendors let you personalize a similar base doll from maker WM Dolls.
ラブドール
Be certain your IP tackle does not have a bad standing and wasn’t ドール エロEarlier blacklisted on the internet, you’ll be able to click on the connection to check.
ラブドール
何かご不明な点がございましたら、オナドールチャットやメールにてお気軽くお問い合わせください。
ラブドール
The one draw back into the ラブドール 中古TPE body is it calls for a little extra servicing, precisely regarding moisture, which silicone repels much more In a natural way.
what is lab powder mill what are its types
https://www.lab-mill.net/en/how-to-avoid-buying-garbage-lab-multi-mill/how to avoid buying garbage lab multi mill
2 in 1 pram
The 9 Things Your Parents Taught You About 2 In 1
Pram Car Seat 2 in 1 pram
ラブドール
This tactic retains fees down without ラブドール 中古the need of sacrificing a realistic confront.
ラブドール
Ensure you discover a place that offer ample support for her system when standing. エロ 人形We really endorse the subsequent 6 spectacular sex positions for you to check out with all your authentic love doll
ラブドール
But that not remaining sufficient, from easy and delicate male-created オナドールimperfections to facial expressions and meticulously calculated physique proportions,
betflix555
Hello to every body, it’s my first visit of this web
site; this web site consists of awesome and truly excellent stuff in favor of readers.
elderly companion services
Seriously loads of awesome advice!
vách ngăn vệ sinh
It’s in fact very complex in this active life to listen news on Television, thus I only use internet for that reason,
and get the hottest information.
ラブドール
As A growing number of men and women invite synthetic セックス ロボットintelligence into their bedrooms and many personal activities, Permit’s evaluate the probabilities and perils that might bring.
ラブドール
A number of people may simply have the capacity to raise and shift it.えろ 人形 In case you occur to possess a dolly,
visit site
Its not my first time to visit this website, i
am visiting this web site dailly and get nice data from here everyday.
djia index
Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem together
with your website in web explorer, may test this? IE still is the marketplace chief and a big portion of other people will
leave out your fantastic writing due to this problem.
Truffes noires et blanches fraîches
My spouse and I stumbled over here different page and thought I may as
well check things out. I like what I see so now i am
following you. Look forward to looking at your web
page repeatedly.
German
Hello there! This article couldn’t be written much
better! Looking through this post reminds me of
my previous roommate! He always kept preaching about this.
I’ll send this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good
read. Thank you for sharing!
프라그마틱 체험
Be On The Lookout For: How Pragmatic Slots Experience Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It 프라그마틱 체험
scam
Good post. I will be dealing with a few of these issues as well..
Pellet Stove Fireplace
You’ll Never Guess This Pellet Stove Fireplace’s Secrets Pellet Stove Fireplace
Car accessories
hello there and thank you for your info – I have
certainly picked up something new from right here.
I did however expertise a few technical points using this web site,
as I experienced to reload the website lots of times previous to
I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK?
Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will very frequently affect
your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if advertising and marketing with
Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my email
and could look out for much more of your respective interesting content.
Make sure you update this again soon.
ایمپلنت دندان دیجیتال
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading?
I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.