Sent With Purpose: A 14-Day Devotional to Prepare for Short-Term Mission Sample

Romans 12:1-2 encourages believers to live lives of transformation, counter-cultural conviction, and discernment of God’s will. It challenges the conventional views of worship and calls for a deep, inward renewal of the mind in service to God. As you prepare to embark on your mission ahead, read this:

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV)

A Living Sacrifice

Your very life is a living sacrifice to God—and this is true on a mission trip across the world or on a walk across your street. The apostle Paul urges us to offer ourselves willingly and wholeheartedly to God, just as the Old Testament priests offered sacrifices on the altar. Spiritually speaking, your body is brought to God’s altar.

Presenting yourself as a sacrifice, to the first-century Jews and pagans alike, is a striking image. Not only is the sacrifice living because it comes to the altar alive, but it’s living because it stays alive. Your service becomes an act of worship, a way to honor and glorify God with your entire being, and it continues with each day and each act of service.

As you engage with the people and communities you encounter, view every moment as an opportunity to present your physical self, your actions, and your words as a pleasing offering to God. Embrace the sacrificial nature of this journey, knowing that God's mercies empower you to give of yourself freely.

Transformed by Renewal

As a follower or Christ, you are called to stand apart. Romans 12:1-2 challenges you to not conform to the patterns of this world, but to contemplate how the values and behaviors of the world contrast with those of faith. The renewal of your mind is a continuous process that begins with surrendering your old ways of thinking and embracing the mind of Christ. In other words, Christians must think differently.

The word “transformed” here is the ancient Greek word metamorphoo – describing a metamorphosis. The same word is used to describe Jesus in His transfiguration (Mark 9:2-3). This is a glorious transformation! The only other place Paul uses this word for transformed is in 2 Corinthians 3:18: But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

For Paul, this transformation and renewing of our minds takes place as we behold the face of God, spending time in His glory. Transformation into the mind of Christ cannot happen apart from God himself, so do not neglect to seek him as you prepare for the journeys ahead.

As you interact with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives, open your heart and mind to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Let God's Word be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Psalm 119:105), guiding you in discerning His will. Seek to understand the needs, hopes, and struggles of those you serve, and allow God's love to flow through you in tangible ways.

Discerning God's Will

Your mission trip is not just about what you can accomplish; it's about discovering and participating in God's good, acceptable, and perfect will. After all, God has invited us into the incredible work of bringing heaven down to earth, and apart from God, we can’t even take one step forward in this mission. Let that sink in.

As you step into unfamiliar territory and face challenges, remember that God’s presence is constant. Trust in His wisdom, timing, and providence. Be patient in testing and discerning His will, and rest assured that He is working in and through you for His divine purposes.

May Romans 12:1-2 be a reminder for you on this mission trip, guiding you to live as a living sacrifice, be transformed by God's renewing grace, and discern His perfect will. May you be a testament to His love and an embodiment of the transformative power of the Gospel. Begin to pray for this now.