At church this morning, we sang a particular Matt Redman song that hit a lot of feelings I've experienced recently. Here's a section of the lyrics:
Could we live like Your grace is stronger
Than all our faults and failures?
Could we live like Your love
Is deeper than our hearts can fathom
Could we live like this?
Could we live like Your name is higher
Than every other power?
Could we live like Your ways
Are wiser than our understanding?
Could we live like this?
Yes, our God is all He says, all He says He is.
I've been wondering how everything is going to come together for this trip: preparation, finances, applying for post-trip jobs, and obtaining a more independent living situation after I return. What's this going to look like?
Part of me says, "How is this ever going to work out? Will it come together?"
But then those worries are quieted as I am reminded that God is all-powerful. Nothing can stump God. I trust God is working behind the scenes in ways that I do not see.
The question now is: Armed with this knowledge, can we live like we truly believe it? Can we live not in fear, but in bold confidence of God's sovereignty?
We must be continually reminded of God's power, not just in certain endeavors, but in all of life.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
A few questions about short-term mission trips
Lately I've been thinking about short-term missions trips, mostly the impact they have on the individual participating and the local people he or she comes in contact with.
Get ready for a few questions:
Who benefits most?
The individual short-term missions participant or the local people receiving the individual?
How does that answer change according to who is being asked?
What would various individuals vs. local people say?
In what ways have short-term missions trips hurt the people they were intending to help?
How have short-term missions trips hurt local economies?
How often do individuals go into a short-term mission trip with a swelling god-complex, thinking they will rescue people from dire circumstances? How has this god-complex hurt local people?
How does a lack of understanding of cultural differences negatively impact various forms of communication?
What about the money spent toward travel, housing, and other expenses that could have been used in some other way?
How have various individuals been forever changed because of a short-term missions trip?
What if I never went on those short-term missions trips to Brasil during high school? Would I have experienced a shift in perspective, developed gratefulness and compassion, and foster a desire to potentially pursue long-term missions?
What kind of experience will this summer hold? How will I approach this trip?
Get ready for a few questions:
Who benefits most?
The individual short-term missions participant or the local people receiving the individual?
How does that answer change according to who is being asked?
What would various individuals vs. local people say?
In what ways have short-term missions trips hurt the people they were intending to help?
How have short-term missions trips hurt local economies?
How often do individuals go into a short-term mission trip with a swelling god-complex, thinking they will rescue people from dire circumstances? How has this god-complex hurt local people?
How does a lack of understanding of cultural differences negatively impact various forms of communication?
What about the money spent toward travel, housing, and other expenses that could have been used in some other way?
How have various individuals been forever changed because of a short-term missions trip?
What if I never went on those short-term missions trips to Brasil during high school? Would I have experienced a shift in perspective, developed gratefulness and compassion, and foster a desire to potentially pursue long-term missions?
What kind of experience will this summer hold? How will I approach this trip?
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