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.
article source
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you might be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and may come back
very soon. I want to encourage you to continue your
great writing, have a nice day!
raw dog food
Wow, this paragraph is fastidious, my younger sister is analyzing
these kinds of things, so I am going to inform her.
DropServe affiliate marketing strategy
Hello to all, the contents present at this website are really awesome for people
experience, well, keep up the nice work fellows.
ig增加觀看次數
My family members always say that I amm killing my time here at web, however
I know I am getting know-how everyday by reading thes fastidious posts.
ig增加觀看次數
зеркало 1xslots
Поэтому рекомендуется, чтобы игроки заранее ознакомились с правилами казино.
Treadmills near me
Guide To Treadmills Near Me: The Intermediate Guide
On Treadmills Near Me Treadmills near me
prodentim avis
Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to check
out your blog on my iphone during lunch break.
I really like the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I
get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow,
good site!
Here is my blog … prodentim avis
upvc windows repair near me
The Most Negative Advice We’ve Ever Heard About Repairing Upvc
Windows upvc windows repair near me
bandar togel
Pretty portion of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I acquire
actually loved account your weblog posts. Any way I will be subscribing on your feeds or even I achievement you get admission to constantly rapidly.
find out this here
Your style is unique compared to other folks
I have read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this web site.
프라그마틱 무료 슬롯
The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Free Pragmatic 프라그마틱 무료 슬롯
7K Online Casino
You made your point.
lung clear pro reviews
May I just say what a comfort to discover somebody who actually knows what
they’re discussing online. You definitely understand how to bring a problem to light and
make it important. More people have to look at this and understand this side of the story.
I can’t believe you aren’t more popular since you surely have the gift.
Also visit my web site lung clear pro reviews
Milford
I absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be
just what I’m looking for. can you offer guest
writers to write content available for you? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating
on a few of the subjects you write with regards to here. Again, awesome site!
mesin slot gacor
Excellent blog right here! Additionally your website loads up fast! What web host are you the use of? Can I am getting your affiliate link to your host? I desire my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
find out here now
It’s amazing to pay a visit this site and reading the views of all friends
regarding this paragraph, while I am also eager of getting familiarity.
prodentim review
I am truly grateful to the holder of this website who has shared
this wonderful post at at this time.
My webpage prodentim review
slot gacor
Its like you read my mind! You seem to understand a lot approximately this, such as you wrote the guide in it or something. I believe that you can do with some percent to force the message house a little bit, but instead of that, this is great blog. A great read. I will certainly be back.
buy herpafend
My coder is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP.
I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But he’s tryiong none
the less. I’ve been using WordPress on various websites for about a year and am concerned about switching to another platform.
I have heard fantastic things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I
can transfer all my wordpress posts into it? Any kind of help would be greatly appreciated!
Here is my web page buy herpafend
discover this info here
Wow! After all I got a blog from where I know how to in fact take valuable
facts concerning my study and knowledge.
Truffes noires d'été fraîches
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew
of any widgets I could add to my blog that
automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for
a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have
some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything.
I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new
updates.
vertical laboratory planetary ball mill square model
https://www.lab-mill.net/nn/ceramic-ball-mill-machine/ceramic ball mill machine
iso777 slot terpercaya
Very shortly this web site will be famous amid all blog users, due to it’s nice content
car key fob programming Near me
The 9 Things Your Parents Teach You About Car Key Fob Programming Near Me car key fob programming Near me
Sofas vs couch
10 Facts About Couches And Sofas That Insists On Putting You In A Good Mood Sofas vs couch
additional info
Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having problems locating
it but, I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got
some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.
iso777 customer service
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently fast.
ai porn
Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility
issues. When I look at your website in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Other then that, excellent blog!
Christena
Thank you for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your further post thanks once again.
asbestos Lawyer
Asbestos Attorneys Tools To Help You Manage Your Everyday Life asbestos Lawyer
adhd Assessment for adults private
What You Need To Do With This Private ADHD Diagnosis adhd Assessment for adults private
iso777 deposit pulsa
I do not even know the way I stopped up here, however I believed this post was good. I do not know who you are however definitely you are going to a well-known blogger in case you are not already. Cheers!
Psychiatric counseling near me
Five Killer Quora Answers To Psychiatric Counseling Near Me Psychiatric counseling near me
kkday 쿠폰
It’s hhard to come by well-informed people for this topic,
however, you sound like you know what you’re talking
about! Thanks
kkday 쿠폰
porn korea
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the pictures on this blog loading?
I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if
it’s the blog. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
takipçi satın al
Hello to every one, it’s actually a good for me to pay a quick visit this
web page, it includes important Information.
Case Battle Csgo
10 Misconceptions Your Boss Holds Regarding Case Opening Battles Case Battle Csgo
ai porn
Hello mates, its impressive post about cultureand fully defined, keep
it up all the time.
xxx
This is a good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Simple but very precise information… Thanks for sharing this
one. A must read post!
lottery defeater software app
It’s really a cool and helpful piece of info. I’m happy that you simply shared this helpful info with us.
Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Feel free to visit my blog: lottery defeater software app
www.google.com.Ag
10 Quick Tips About Audi Keys audi keys replacement, http://www.google.com.Ag,
먹튀검증 사이트
Sports Toto 4d Latest Result It’s Not As Hard As You Think 먹튀검증 사이트
private Adhd assessment colchester
Don’t Make This Silly Mistake You’re Using Your ADHD Private Assesment private Adhd assessment colchester
prodentim review
Good day! I know this is kind of off topic but I
was wondering which blog platform are you using for this
site? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and
I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
Here is my web blog … prodentim review
ダッチワイフ
is what determines whether an experience is committed to long-term memory.We do know a fair amount about long-term memory consolidation.セックス ドール
xnxx
Thanks a lot. Numerous data.
ダッチワイフ
neurologists,高級 ラブドールneuroimmunologists,
ダッチワイフ
right? If your partner gives you the same feeling as you have a lifetime membership to Netflix and chill,use this caption to let them know.ラブドール 値段
구글상위노출 업체
Inside The Seo Challenge 1: Interview With Two
Seo Specialists 구글상위노출 업체
mall.Wesoop.kr
The Most Prevalent Issues In Asbestos Attorneys Philadelphia mesothelioma
lawyer (mall.Wesoop.kr)