3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 80,952

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.

80952 Responses

  1. 구글기프트카드
    | Reply

    Hi there! This blog post could not be written much better!
    Going through tbis article reminds mme of
    my previous roommate! He always kept preaching about this.
    I wiull send this information to him. Fairly certain he’ll have a very good read.
    I appreciate you for sharing!
    구글기프트카드

  2. tonic greens
    | Reply

    Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely
    well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info.
    Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely comeback.

    Also visit my web site: tonic greens

  3. lowes com survey
    | Reply

    Home Depot vs. Lowe’s: Two titans reign supreme in home improvement: Home
    Depot and Lowe’s. As the leading competitors in the industry, these retail giants have shaped
    how we approach DIY projects and renovations.

    This article delves into the depths of this epic rivalry, examining
    their histories, offerings, customer experiences, and overall market dominance.

  5. Brazilian Wood
    | Reply

    Hello there! This post couldn’t be written much better! Reading through
    this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept talking
    about this. I will send this post to him.
    Fairly certain he’ll have a very good read. Many thanks for sharing!

    My page … Brazilian Wood

  7. escorts Rotherham
    | Reply

    Hi, There’s no doubt that your site could be having browser
    compatibility problems. Whenever I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in IE,
    it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Aside from that, great site!

  8. bokep indo
    | Reply

    Hi there are using WordPress for your blog platform?

    I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you need
    any coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would
    be really appreciated!

  9. exness register
    | Reply

    The name of the article author is Robena and she totally digs that call.
    In his professional life hes a computer operator. One of his favorite hobbies
    is caving and he’s trying recover a work. New Jersey has always been his home.

  10. evisa vietnam
    | Reply

    Hey there, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog site 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, awesome
    blog!

  12. Immediate Avapro Erfahrungen
    | Reply

    I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.
    I don’t know who you are but certainly you are going to a
    famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!

  14. tonic greens reviews
    | Reply

    Hello this is somewhat of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
    I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding skills so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience.
    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  16. foto bugil
    | Reply

    My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for.
    can you offer guest writers to write content for you personally?
    I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write related to here.
    Again, awesome web site!

  18. evisa vietnam
    | Reply

    Hello, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one
    and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam comments?

    If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?

    I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any assistance is very much appreciated.

  25. evisa vietnam
    | Reply

    Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find
    It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give
    something back and aid others like you aided me.

  30. denticore
    | Reply

    These are really enormous ideas in regarding blogging.
    You have touched some fastidious points here. Any way keep up wrinting.

    Visit my web site … denticore

  31. 해운대한의원
    | Reply

    Amazing blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers?
    I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
    Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go
    for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely overwhelmed ..

    Any suggestions? Thanks a lot!

  33. Military surplus
    | Reply

    Hey! I јust wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers?

    My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing months of
    haգrd work due to no backup. Do yοu haᴠe any
    methods tο pгotect against hackers?

    my website; Military surplus

  34. the growth matrix reviews
    | Reply

    Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids.
    I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed.

    There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.

    She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!

    Here is my webpage the growth matrix reviews

  35. parsel4D
    | Reply

    I’ve learn a few just right stuff here. Certainly value
    bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much effort you place
    to make one of these great informative site.

  36. evisa vietnam
    | Reply

    That is a really good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
    Brief but very precise information… Thank you for sharing this one.
    A must read post!

  38. ro private server
    | Reply

    You can certainly see your expertise in the article you write.
    The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe.
    Always follow your heart.

  42. 바카라사이트
    | Reply

    What’s up everyone, it’s my first go to see at this web page, and post is really fruitful for me, keep up posting these types of
    content.
    바카라사이트 theci01.com 카지노사이트
    카지노사이트 theci01.com 온라인바카라
    온라인바카라 theci01.com 검증카지노
    온라인카지노 theci01.com 안전바카라사이트
    안전바카라사이트 theci01.com 안전카지노사이트
    안전카지노사이트 theci01.com 온라인카지노
    검증카지노 theci01.com 슬롯사이트
    검증카지노커뮤니티 theci01.com 슬롯나라
    카지노커뮤니티 theci01.com 안전카지노
    검증바카라 theci01.com 안전사이트
    슬롯사이트 theci01.com 카지노사이트주소
    안전슬롯사이트 theci01.com 바카라사이트주소
    강친닷컴 theci01.com 온라인카지노
    강원랜드 theci01.com 온라인바카라
    강원랜드카지노 theci01.com 카지노노하우
    마카오카지노 theci01.com 바카라노하우
    필리핀카지노 theci01.com 바카라하는곳
    오카다카지노 theci01.com 카지노하는곳
    솔레어카지노 theci01.com 슬롯하는곳
    시오디카지노 theci01.com 슬롯잭팟
    베트남카지노 theci01.com 검증슬롯사이트
    온라인검증커뮤니티 theci01.com 강원랜드여자
    먹튀제보 theci01.com 마카오여자
    먹튀검증사이트 theci01.com 필리핀여자
    먹튀노하우 theci01.com 필리핀밤문화
    바카라노하우 theci01.com 오피사이트
    카지노노하우 theci01.com 강남오피사이트
    슬롯노하우 theci01.com 강남안마
    안전슬롯 theci01.com 강남스웨디시
    안전바카라 theci01.com 서울카지노
    안전카지노 theci01.com 서울바카라
    왁싱잘하는곳 theci01.com 바카라하는법
    홀덤테이블 theci01.com 카지노하는법
    홀덤하는곳 theci01.com 온라인바카라주소
    홀덤하는법 theci01.com 온라인카지노주소
    바카라하는법 theci01.com 에볼루션바카라
    카지노하는법 theci01.com 라이트닝카지노
    에볼루션카지노 theci01.com 우리카지노
    에볼루션바카라 theci01.com 로얄카지노
    프라그마틱카지노 theci01.com 마이크로카지노
    프라그마틱슬롯 theci01.com 타이산카지노
    주식잘하는법 theci01.com 플라그마틱카지노
    주식노하우 theci01.com 프라그마틱스롯
    경마노하우 theci01.com 온라인채팅
    경마사이트 theci01.com 출장안마
    주식사이트 theci01.com 카지노환전
    만남사이트 theci01.com 우리카지노주소
    오피사이트 theci01.com 온라인바카라사이트
    아로마하는곳 theci01.com 온라인카지노사이트
    랩핑잘하는곳 theci01.com 슬롯하는법

  43. tonic greens reviews
    | Reply

    I used to be recommended this website through my cousin. I am no longer certain whether or not this post
    is written by means of him as no one else realize such exact about my difficulty.
    You are wonderful! Thank you!

    Feel free to surf to my web page: tonic greens reviews

Leave a Reply

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