3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 78,651

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.

78651 Responses

  13. bigslot188
    | Reply

    Hey there! Quick question that’s totally off topic.

    Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?

    My weblog looks weird when viewing from my iphone 4.
    I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to correct this problem.
    If you have any recommendations, please share. With thanks!

  15. 문화상품권현금화
    | Reply

    Having readd this I thought it was rather enlightening. I appreciate yyou taking the
    time and energy to put this information together.
    I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both readikng and leaving comments.
    But so what, it was still worth it!
    문화상품권현금화

  19. Glass Bottle Juice Filling Line
    | Reply

    The Glass Bottle Juice Filling Line has brought about a significant
    transformation in the way juice is packaged and presented
    to consumers.

    This specialized filling line is specifically designed to handle the unique requirements of filling juice into glass bottles,
    ensuring both quality and aesthetics.

    One of the notable features of the Glass Bottle Juice
    Filling Line is its precision. It accurately measures and dispenses
    the exact amount of juice into each bottle, minimizing waste and maintaining
    consistency in product volume. This level of precision is crucial for meeting consumer expectations and
    regulatory standards.

    The line also incorporates advanced sealing and capping mechanisms to ensure the integrity and freshness of
    the juice. A tight seal helps prevent leaks and protects the juice from external
    contaminants, extending its shelf life.

    In terms of design, the Glass Bottle Juice Filling Line takes into account the fragility of glass bottles.
    Special conveyors and handling systems are employed to minimize the risk of breakage during the filling process.

    For instance, a popular juice brand that adopted this filling line was
    able to reduce bottle breakage by 70%, significantly reducing production costs and waste.

    Quality control is another critical aspect. The line is equipped with sensors and inspection systems that detect any
    defects in the bottles, caps, or the filling process itself.
    This helps in maintaining a high-quality output and reducing the number of faulty products.

    Moreover, the Glass Bottle Juice Filling Line offers flexibility
    in terms of accommodating different bottle shapes and sizes.
    This allows juice manufacturers to introduce innovative packaging designs to attract consumers and stand
    out in the market.

    A case in point is a local juice producer who used this line to launch a
    range of limited-edition juices in uniquely shaped
    glass bottles, which saw a significant increase
    in sales and brand recognition.

    In conclusion, the Glass Bottle Juice Filling Line is not just a piece of machinery; it’s a key driver in the success of the juice packaging industry.
    Its ability to combine precision, quality control, and design flexibility makes it an essential tool
    for meeting the ever-growing demands of consumers for high-quality,
    attractively packaged juice products.

  20. boostaro
    | Reply

    Greetings from Carolina! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break.
    I love the knowledge you provide here and can’t
    wait to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at
    how quick your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI,
    just 3G .. Anyhow, great blog!

    my web-site … boostaro

  25. ทางเข้าเล่นRG888 สล็อต
    | Reply

    I think everything wrote was actually very reasonable. But, what about this?

    suppose you typed a catchier title? I mean, I don’t
    want to tell you how to run your website, however what if you
    added a title to maybe get a person’s attention? I mean Short term missions are not the race – The Hus Report is kinda vanilla.
    You might peek at Yahoo’s front page and note how
    they create post headlines to grab people interested.
    You might try adding a video or a picture or two to grab people interested about what you’ve
    written. Just my opinion, it would make your posts a little bit more interesting.

  27. webpage
    | Reply

    Ikuti berita ekonomi hari ini dengan informasi terbaru.

    Klik untuk berita ekonomi terkini dari seluruh dunia.

  29. SCAM
    | Reply

    This is my first time pay a visit at here and i am actually impressed to read all at one place.

  30. Get all the info
    | Reply

    Pretty portion of content. I simply stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your weblog posts.
    Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment or even I achievement you access persistently rapidly.

  32. 엘에이 DUI 변호사
    | Reply

    Today, I went to thhe beach 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 put tthe shell to
    hher 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 entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!

    엘에이 DUI 변호사

  35. hey
    | Reply

    Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it,
    you can be a great author.I will make certain to
    bookmark your blog and will often come back sometime soon. I want to encourage that you continue your great writing,
    have a nice day!

  36. memek
    | Reply

    It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button!
    I’d without a doubt donate to this excellent blog! I guess for now i’ll settle
    for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
    I look forward to new updates and will share this
    site with my Facebook group. Chat soon!

  38. additional resources
    | Reply

    Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my
    iphone and tested to see if it can survive a
    thirty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation.
    My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views.

    I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  39. 온라인 레플 상품
    | Reply

    Wonderful goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just too wonderful.
    I acfually ike wht you’ve acquired here, certainly like what
    you aare saying and the way in whichh you say it. You make
    it entertaining and you still care for to keep it wise. I can not waut
    to rerad much more from you. This is really a terrific weeb
    site.
    온라인 레플 상품

  44. Melanie
    | Reply

    It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate
    to this brilliant blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and
    adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward
    to fresh updates and will share this website with my Facebook group.
    Talk soon!

  45. 레플
    | Reply

    It’s not my first time to visit this website, i am visiting
    this site dailly and obtain fastidious facts from here eveery
    day.
    레플

  47. Plastic Bottle Juice Fillling Line
    | Reply

    The Plastic Bottle Juice Filling Line has
    emerged as a game-changer in the world of juice manufacturing, offering efficient and reliable
    solutions for meeting the growing demands of consumers.

    This advanced filling line is specifically engineered to handle the unique characteristics of plastic bottles
    and ensure the seamless packaging of juice.
    One of the key features of the Plastic Bottle Juice Filling Line is its high-speed operation. It
    is capable of filling a large number of plastic bottles in a short period, significantly increasing production output.

    This is crucial in a market where consumer demand is constantly on the rise.

    The line also ensures precise filling accuracy.
    Every bottle is filled with the exact amount of juice, minimizing variations and
    ensuring consistency in product quality.
    This level of precision not only meets industry standards but also enhances customer satisfaction.
    Another important aspect is the hygiene and cleanliness maintained throughout the process.
    The equipment is designed to prevent any contamination of
    the juice, ensuring it remains safe and pure for consumption.
    The Plastic Bottle Juice Filling Line is highly adaptable.
    It can handle various bottle sizes and shapes, allowing manufacturers to offer a diverse range of products to meet different market segments and customer preferences.

    For instance, a juice producer was able to introduce new bottle designs
    and sizes using this filling line, which led to a significant increase in sales and market share.

    In addition, the line incorporates advanced technology for quality control.
    It detects any defects in the bottles, such as cracks or improper seals, and
    removes them from the production line. This helps maintain the integrity and quality of the
    final product.
    Moreover, the line is designed for easy operation and
    maintenance. Trained staff can monitor and control the process with
    ease, and routine maintenance tasks can be carried
    out quickly to minimize downtime.
    In conclusion, the Plastic Bottle Juice Filling Line is a vital component
    in the juice production industry. Its speed, accuracy,
    hygiene, adaptability, and quality control capabilities make it an indispensable tool for manufacturers.
    As the demand for juice continues to grow, this filling line will play a
    crucial role in delivering high-quality, attractively packaged juice products to consumers worldwide.

  48. Roma
    | Reply

    Hi Dear, are you in fact visiting this web page daily, if
    so then you will absolutely take good experience.

  49. lgo4d link alternatif
    | Reply

    I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
    Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
    Plz respond as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to find out where u got
    this from. thanks a lot

Leave a Reply

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