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.
australia eta error form
I think this is one of the most vital information for me.
And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on some general things, The website
style is ideal, the articles is really excellent : D. Good job,
cheers
ダッチワイフ
Nantucket’s annual Christmas Stroll is its banner holiday event.セクシーコスプレThe tradition started in the 1970s — shopkeepers would stay open later in the evening so locals wouldn’t have to travel to Cape Cod to buy gifts.
advertise site
Everything is very open with a very clear clarification of the
issues. It was really informative. Your site is very helpful.
Thank you for sharing!
Also visit my web site – advertise site
ダッチワイフ
セクシー ランジェリーIt’s the only location I’ve encountered in my 11 years of investigating whose energy almost caused me to become sick and lose consciousness.The owner is incredibly kind and nonchalant about the paranormal activity inside; including the apparition of a man with no legs who is often seen floating down the stairs.
advertisement
Helpful information. Fortunate me I found your site unintentionally, and I am stunned why this
coincidence didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
Look into my page … advertisement
ダッチワイフ
アダルト 下着” and if you visit in the late summer (as opposed to the popular winter season),you’ll often see lower prices and fewer crowds.
Electric Wall Hung Fires
7 Things About Wall Mount Electric Fireplaces You’ll Kick
Yourself For Not Knowing Electric Wall Hung Fires
ダッチワイフ
notably strewn on boats and along the water’s edge.On some Thursdays leading up to December 25,t バック
ダッチワイフ
In Diego’s words,エロ 下着it’s an “island that outshines them all,
ダッチワイフ
While many of the team’s picks are remote,ベビー ドール ランジェリーbreathe-in-that-fresh-air kinds of places,
ダッチワイフ
South America,and Africa are all hot cruising destinations,ベビー ドール ランジェリー
ダッチワイフ
“With the ups and downs of the mountains ahead,the concave and convex of each room are echoed with the mountains ahead,ランジェリー エロ
ダッチワイフ
which returned in 2022,セクシー下着will be another event to watch in the year ahead.
ダッチワイフ
ランジェリー エロ“As Waikiki Beach’s only boutique right on the sand,the Kaimana Beach Hotel was originally built in 1963 as a Japanese-designed and owned hotel,
ダッチワイフ
セクシーコスプレfrom an annual Christmas tree lighting to changing events like holiday movie nights and cookie-baking competitions.As for a cozy place to rest your head,
Ngewe kaka ipar
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and
visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
Great work!
ダッチワイフ
アダルト 下着The Loutrel,one of the best hotels in Charleston,
ダッチワイフ
For a special dinner,t バックreserve one of the hotel’s twinkling igloos for an exclusive two-hour meal on the lakefront.
ダッチワイフ
Want to let your hair down and enjoy a vacation with your girls without having to bother with planning,logistics,ベビー ドール ランジェリー
ダッチワイフ
you’ll find storefronts along and around Main Street decorated with wintry displays.セクシーコスプレThe city runs a competition,
ダッチワイフ
There are also reports of Anne messing with items left in the room by guests — she’s said to have a habit of moving things from one spot to another.The riverside Olde Harbour Inn is upfront about its best-known shadowy figure.セクシー ランジェリー
ダッチワイフ
connecting Miami to Key West,and stop for fresh seafood,エロ 下着
ダッチワイフ
ランジェリー ショップOpening next year,the JMK5 Arena will transform a disused racetrack into a 12,
ダッチワイフ
stay in one of the plushly appointed rooms at Inverlochy Castle,where you and your partner will have 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton linens and views of the property’s private loch.セクシーコスプレ
ダッチワイフ
エロ 下着vibrant cities like Augsburg and Munich.If time allows,
ダッチワイフ
ランジェリー ショップ500-seat concert stadium poised to rival the venues of Vegas.It arrives on the heels of the relatively more intimate 713 Music Hall,
ad website
Everything is very open with a really clear explanation of the issues.
It was truly informative. Your site is very helpful.
Many thanks for sharing!
Here is my website :: ad website
ダッチワイフ
and dips in the pool outside your own villa.Look beyond the misty ruins of Machu Picchu and embrace Peru’s cosmopolitan side.エロ 下着
ダッチワイフ
エロ 下着stargazing,and hot-air balloon rides over the Arizona desert for an anniversary to remember.
ダッチワイフ
アダルト 下着and dips in the pool outside your own villa.Look beyond the misty ruins of Machu Picchu and embrace Peru’s cosmopolitan side.
ダッチワイフ
“For more than 60 years,Nelson Ishiyama has been an avid fly fisherman,ランジェリー エロ
ダッチワイフ
エロ ランジェリーsince there’s so little sunlight in winter between each long,aurora-strewn night.
audi a3 spare Key
12 Facts About Audi Spare Key To Make You Think About The Other People audi a3 spare Key
ダッチワイフ
is home to some 145,セクシー ランジェリー000 living people,
اینورتر پنتاکس
Every weekend i used to pay a quick visit this site, because i want enjoyment,
for the reason that this this site conations in fact
good funny data too.
ダッチワイフ
セクシーコスプレyou can get a similar feel in Solvang.The small city in Santa Ynez Valley was founded by a group of Danes in the early 1900s.
penis pumps
Hi! I simply wish to give you a huge thumbs up for the excellent info you’ve got right here on this post.
I’ll be returning to your site for more soon.
Audi a1 key
You’ll Never Guess This Audi A1 Key’s Benefits Audi a1 key
ダッチワイフ
t バックand decorations.Since crowds are lighter,
ダッチワイフ
and a chic neutral palette.エロ ランジェリーWhile January,
electric fire suite sale
14 Creative Ways To Spend On Leftover Suite Electric Fireplace Budget electric fire suite sale
ダッチワイフ
so you and your sweetheart can still appreciate its unspoiled landscape.セクシーコスプレStay in one of the numerous hotels or Airbnbs in nearby Turanj and charter a boat over to the paradisiacal retreat.
ダッチワイフ
travelers to reach this French overseas department — particularly after Norwegian ceased its nonstop flights to the destination in 2019.セクシー下着Now,
ダッチワイフ
and as someone who cares deeply for his community,leaving Napa Valley behind with a greater sense of hospitality,エロ ランジェリー
ダッチワイフ
エロ 下着it’s right after graduation.When it comes to graduation trips,
ダッチワイフ
health care — she received her COVID-19 vaccine on live television to encourage others to get immunized — and sustainable travel.ランジェリー ショップThis summer,
ダッチワイフ
Residence Inn Times Square is hosting a parade brunch for guests on its third floor lounge.セクシー ランジェリーRooms with parade views start at $999 per night.
mobile advertising platform
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an really long
comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just
wanted to say great blog!
My web blog … mobile advertising platform
ダッチワイフ
エロ ランジェリーstop in at CopenHot’s panoramic sauna to seal in this wellness treatment.Private islands offer perfect seclusion and will seriously heighten the romance factor on your Valentine’s Day getaway.
ダッチワイフ
so cast your vote on which you think is the best.Visit with Santa in Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on any Saturday in December leading up to the big day.セクシーコスプレ