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.
Pansy
5 Killer Quora Answers To Popular Casino Slots popular casino
slots (Pansy)
9d75e9a4-49f8-ee11-a1fd-6045bd03e483
fantastic put up, very informative. I wonder why the opposite experts of this sector don’t realize this.
You must continue your writing. I’m confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!
Gussie Welch
I enjoyed this read. For more, visit Local SEO packages Sacramento
Sherlene
Hi there, all is going fine here and ofcourse every one is sharing data,
that’s genuinely excellent, keep up writing.
window Repairs Near me
The 10 Scariest Things About Double Glazed Window
Repairs Near Me window Repairs Near me
Shiro888 Slot
Very good post! We are linking to this great post on our website.
Keep up the good writing.
Криптобосс
А мне кошелек использовать удобнее, чем карты или виртуальные кошельки.
jilboobs
Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with
SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords
but I’m not seeing very good gains. If you know of any please share.
Appreciate it!
apply evisa turkey
Hello there, I found your site by the use of Google even as searching for a related topic, your site came
up, it appears great. I have bookmarked it
in my google bookmarks.
Hi there, just become aware of your weblog through Google, and found
that it’s really informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels.
I will appreciate should you proceed this in future.
Many folks can be benefited out of your writing.
Cheers!
Personal Injury
The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Personal Injury Law Personal Injury
apply for kenyan evisa
It’s amazing to go to see this site and reading the views of all colleagues concerning this
article, while I am also eager of getting know-how.
UG8 Slot Gacor
I have learn a few just right stuff here. Definitely value bookmarking for revisiting.
I surprise how a lot effort you place to create any such wonderful informative site.
bokep terbaru
Asking questions are really fastidious thing if you are not understanding something totally, except this post provides good understanding
even.
Helen Ray
Great insights! Find more at https://www.slideserve.com/roherecgpo/11-games-slot-pencipta-uang-langsung-ke-biaya-tanpa-deposit
Selena
Thank you for sharing your info. I truly appreciate
your efforts and I am waiting for your further write ups thank you
once again.
Slot Bonuses
Hello to all, the contents existing at this site are actually
awesome for people knowledge, well, keep up the nice work fellows.
Also visit my web-site Slot Bonuses
dewascatter
Have you ever considered writing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?
I have a blog based upon on the same subjects you discuss
and would love to have you share some stories/information. I
know my viewers would enjoy your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send
me an email.
CBD Gummies UK
Hello, I want to subscribe for this web site to get newest updates, therefore
where can i do it please help out.
boy789
It’s amazing for me to have a web page, which is good in favor of my experience.
thanks admin
Electric fence Malaysia
Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is great, let alone the
content!
ai wallpaper
We’re a bunch of volunteers and opening a
brand new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with helpful info to work on. You have done a formidable task and our whole neighborhood can be thankful to you.
Cách dùng mega omega 3 6 9 plus q10
Every weekend i used to pay a visit this site, because i wish for enjoyment, for the reason that this this site conations really good funny material too.
situs mpo slot
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful article.
Thanks for supplying these details.
Online Video
Its such as you learn my thoughts! You appear to understand so much about this, like
you wrote the e-book in it or something. I feel that you simply can do with a few percent to drive the message house a bit, but other than that, this is magnificent
blog. A great read. I will certainly be back.
먹튀사이트 리스트
Hello, its fastidious article about media print, we all know media is a fantastic source of facts.
porn
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post.
Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
puravive reviews
Valuable info. Fortunate me I found your website accidentally, and I am shocked why this accident didn’t took place earlier!
I bookmarked it.
barista course malaysia
Good day! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give
a quick shout out and tell you I really enjoy reading through your blog posts.
Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same subjects?
Many thanks!
zackfoxworth.top
Why All The Fuss About Treadmill Incline Foldable? zackfoxworth.top
Fidelia
Appreciate this post. Will try it out.
tsunami pump
Attractive portion of content. I simply stumbled upon your website
and in accession capital to claim that I acquire actually loved account
your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing in your
augment or even I fulfillment you access persistently rapidly.
Jeffrey Higgins
Great job! Find more at https://myanimelist.net/profile/maixenfjsv
mesothelioma compensation
10 Things You Learned In Kindergarden That Will Help You With Mesothelioma Legal mesothelioma compensation
Slot games
10 Myths Your Boss Is Spreading About Slot Themes Slot games
phim sex việt nam
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to
do it for you? Plz reply as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to know where u got this from.
many thanks
Mae
Thanks to my father who informed me on the topic of this webpage, this website is really
amazing.
tonic greens
Whats up very nice web site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing ..
I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds also?
I am happy to find a lot of useful info right here within the publish, we want work out more techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing.
. . . . .
my web-site :: tonic greens
sex việt
Excellent blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast!
What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate
link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Rara Travel & Tour
Great items from you, man. I’ve bear in mind your stuff prior to and you
are simply extremely great. I really like what
you have bought right here, certainly like what you’re
saying and the best way by which you assert it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it sensible.
I can not wait to learn much more from you.
This is actually a wonderful web site.
Irwin
It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be
happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I desire to
suggest you few interesting things or suggestions. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article.
I wish to read even more things about it!
biro psikologi himpsi
Inspiring quest there. What happened after? Take care!
foRUm.AltaYCoIns.com
Hey there are using WordPress for your site platform?
I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my
own. Do you require any html coding expertise to make your own blog?
Any help would be really appreciated! http://Forum.Altaycoins.com/profile.php?id=509002
growth matrix
Spot on with this write-up, I really believe that this website needs
a lot more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read more, thanks for the info!
Feel free to surf to my blog … growth matrix
kids Treehouse Bed
10 Top Books On Treehouse Canopy kids Treehouse Bed
memek enak
Howdy! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a
team of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche.
Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a outstanding
job!
discover here
Thank you for any other great article. The place else could
anybody get that kind of info in such a perfect means of writing?
I have a presentation next week, and I’m at
the search for such information.
Truck accident law firm
The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Truck Accident Law Firm Truck accident law firm
Wesley Holland
Thanks for the useful suggestions. Discover more at https://www.mediafire.com/file/k38xal9ps8c60ca/pdf-42181-24046.pdf/file
Willielab
Mohamed Salah https://mohamedsalah.prostoprosport-br.com e um futebolista egipcio que joga como atacante do clube ingles Liverpool e do Selecao egipcia. Considerado um dos melhores jogadores de futebol do mundo. Tricampeao da Chuteira de Ouro da Premier League inglesa: em 2018 (sozinho), 2019 (junto com Sadio Mane e Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang) e 2022 (junto com Son Heung-min).
Felipe
This blog was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve
found something which helped me. Thanks!