3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 81,709

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.

81709 Responses

  1. bokep simontok
    | Reply

    It’s remarkable to pay a quick visit this website and reading the views of all colleagues regarding this piece of writing, while I am also
    keen of getting know-how.

  11. taruhan bola
    | Reply

    As I web-site possessor I believe the content material here is rattling great , appreciate it for your hard work. You should keep it up forever! Good Luck.

  14. kontol
    | Reply

    Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles
    as long as I provide credit and sources back to your weblog?
    My blog site is in the exact same niche as
    yours and my visitors would genuinely benefit
    from a lot of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this
    alright with you. Thanks a lot!

  16. click here
    | Reply

    I am now not certain the place you’re getting your information,
    however good topic. I must spend a while learning more or understanding more.
    Thanks for excellent information I used to be looking for this information for
    my mission.

  19. ceria777 slot
    | Reply

    Good day! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post
    reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept chatting about this.

    I will forward this write-up to him. Fairly certain he
    will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

  22. SCAM
    | Reply

    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 respond as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to
    find out where u got this from. thank you

  28. Guy
    | Reply

    Greetings I am so grateful I found your website, I
    really found you by mistake, while I was browsing on Google for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just
    like to say thanks a lot for a remarkable post and a all
    round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have book-marked
    it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the great b.

  30. Kian
    | Reply

    Hello there! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog.
    Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.

    I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have
    any points or suggestions? Many thanks

  31. growth matrix reviews
    | Reply

    I am really loving the theme/design of your blog.
    Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues? A few of my blog audience have complained about my blog not
    operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome.
    Do you have any recommendations to help fix this problem?

    Here is my web site … growth matrix reviews

  36. llama 3.1 review
    | Reply

    Pretty part of content. I simply stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to say that I get actually loved account your weblog posts.
    Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I success
    you get entry to constantly quickly.

    Also visit my page – llama 3.1 review

  37. Yvette
    | Reply

    Wonderful post! We will be linking to this particularly great article on our website.
    Keep up the good writing.

  40. 188bet196
    | Reply

    Thank you, I’ve just been looking for information approximately
    this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I have discovered till now.
    However, what concerning the bottom line?
    Are you positive in regards to the supply?

  42. free porn
    | Reply

    This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post.
    Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!

    my web page free porn

  44. memek becek
    | Reply

    Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your weblog.

    You have some really good posts and I believe I would be a good
    asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some content for your blog
    in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an email if interested.
    Kudos!

  48. llama 3.1 review
    | Reply

    Pretty component of content. I simply stumbled upon your site and in accession capital
    to say that I acquire in fact loved account your blog posts.

    Anyway I will be subscribing for your augment and even I achievement you access constantly rapidly.

    Review my site; llama 3.1 review

  50. link alternatif itcbet
    | Reply

    I precisely wished to say thanks all over again. I am not sure the things I might have implemented without the actual suggestions contributed by you directly on this field. It was actually an absolute scary problem for me personally, nevertheless observing a new expert style you resolved that forced me to weep over joy. I will be happier for your work and in addition expect you realize what a great job you are always getting into training others all through your web site. I know that you haven’t met all of us.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *