3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 148,027

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.

148027 Responses

  6. best inmate text service
    | Reply

    Thanks for your peｒsonal marvelous posting!
    I reaⅼⅼy enjoyed reading it, yoս will be a great author.I will ensur that I bookmark
    your blog and definitely will come back later on. I want to encourage yourself to
    continue your greawt posts, have a nice аfternoon!

    Also visit my weЬ ѕite … best inmate text service

  8. Bokep
    | Reply

    Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing
    this post and also the rest of the website is very good.

  11. kontol,
    | Reply

    obviously like your web-site however you need to check the spelling on several of your posts.

    Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very bothersome to tell the reality
    then again I will definitely come back again.

  12. snaptik
    | Reply

    Now I am going away to do my breakfast, later than having my breakfast
    coming yet again to read more news.

  15. Gale
    | Reply

    Online Shopping Uk Products Tools To Help You Manage Your Daily Life Online
    Shopping Uk Products Trick Every Person Should Be Able To online shopping
    uk products [Gale]

  20. topup royal dream
    | Reply

    I think this is among the most vital info for
    me. And i am glad reading your article. But want to remark on few general things, The site style is perfect,
    the articles is really excellent : D. Good job, cheers

  24. fitspresso
    | Reply

    Hi would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re working with?
    I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most.

    Can you recommend a good internet hosting provider at
    a fair price? Kudos, I appreciate it!

    My website … fitspresso

  25. boostaro pills
    | Reply

    Terrific work! That is the type of information that are supposed to be
    shared around the web. Shame on Google for not positioning this put up higher!
    Come on over and consult with my website .
    Thanks =)

    My web page boostaro pills

  26. click for more,
    | Reply

    Great work! This is the kind of info that are supposed to be shared around the web.
    Disgrace on Google for no longer positioning this publish
    upper! Come on over and discuss with my web site .
    Thank you =)

  28. comment-226789
    | Reply

    When someone writes an post he/she retains the plan of a user
    in his/her mind that how a user can know it. Therefore that’s
    why this post is perfect. Thanks!

  30. 먹튀검증사이트
    | Reply

    I think that is one of the most important info for me. And i am satisfied reading your article.
    But should remark on some general things, The web site taste is wonderful, the articles
    is actually great : D. Good process, cheers

    My web site – 먹튀검증사이트

  31. growth matrix
    | Reply

    My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using
    Movable-type on various websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform.
    I have heard excellent things about blogengine.net. Is there
    a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it? Any
    kind of help would be really appreciated!

    my web blog; growth matrix

  32. ProDentim Reviews
    | Reply

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

  34. BOKEP VIRAL
    | Reply

    Howdy would you mind letting me know which web host you’re using?
    I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must
    say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you recommend
    a good hosting provider at a fair price?
    Thanks, I appreciate it!

  37. 먹튀검증업체
    | Reply

    I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is required to get setup?
    I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100% positive.
    Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Many thanks

    Stop by my page … 먹튀검증업체

  41. look at here now
    | Reply

    I’ll right away snatch your rss feed as I can’t in finding your
    email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve
    any? Please allow me know in order that I may just subscribe.
    Thanks.

  44. is denticore safe
    | Reply

    Hello would you mind letting me know which hosting company
    you’re using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker
    then most. Can you recommend a good web hosting provider at a fair price?
    Many thanks, I appreciate it!

    my web blog is denticore safe

  45. relationship
    | Reply

    Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday.
    It’s always interesting to read through articles from other writers and practice a little something
    from other sites.

  50. tonic greens
    | Reply

    Hi would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re working with?
    I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different web browsers and I must say this
    blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you recommend a good internet hosting provider at a reasonable price?
    Thanks, I appreciate it!

    Also visit my web page … tonic greens

Leave a Reply

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