Mission Trip Checkup: On MissionSample

Don’t Hold Back

You’re likely now established in your mission field and with your team. These moments, these days, right now, are what you have been preparing your heart, mind, body, and spirit for. Whatever you do, don’t forfeit that preparation by holding back.

Some people prioritize lifestyles that allow for good nutrition, getting quality sleep, and eliminating their lives of toxins, physically and mentally. These are excellent practices that can set us up for success in the small moments and long seasons of life. But sometimes, in preparing to be healthy, it’s easy to hold back until we have attained our ultimate goal, like waiting for one’s BMI to reach a certain number before considering a marathon.

Health, like spiritual maturity, is a constant pursuit. Hopefully, you are stronger today than you were yesterday, but because you’re not as good as you’ll be someday does not disqualify you from doing your utmost right now.

Today is before you, requiring your focus, energy, and talents. You have a choice every moment of this mission trip whether you will give all you have—whether or not you think it’s enough—or whether you’ll hold back.

You and your team may never come back this way again, may never see the same people, may never get the opportunities to share Christ and His love in these precious moments again. Whether you feel on top of your game or not, relying on God’s strength is crucial. Because it’s not about how adequate, healthy, strong, or prepared you are, because all our righteousness is but filthy rags in the Kingdom of God (Isaiah 64:6). But when we surrender what we have—and what we don’t have—into God’s hands, He gets the glory for the work He is accomplishing.

So, if you have only a little faith, a little strength, a little energy today, give as much as is healthy to give, trusting God to refill you, because He takes care of His own. And if you have an abundance of energy, words, and enthusiasm, give without holding back today. God will refill you, too. Maybe not right away, maybe not in the way you wish, but He will provide.

Practical Considerations:

• Take care of yourself! Being wise about your health and safety keeps you strong, allowing you to better serve others. Get enough sleep, eat well, be careful, and look out for each other.
• If you’re struggling, tell someone. Team support is an essential part of being a team, but you have to communicate and allow help.