3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 116,001

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.

116001 Responses

  9. pronerve 6
    | Reply

    Hi there excellent blog! Does running a blog like this require a massive amount work?
    I’ve absolutely no expertise in coding however I had
    been hoping to start my own blog in the near future.

    Anyway, if you have any suggestions or techniques for new
    blog owners please share. I know this is off subject but I simply needed to ask.
    Cheers!

    Also visit my web site – pronerve 6

  11. Cryptonica Liquidity Pool
    | Reply

    I feel this is among the most important info for me.
    And i’m satisfied reading your article. However should observation on few common issues,
    The site taste is perfect, the articles is truly great :
    D. Good activity, cheers

  12. Asbestos case
    | Reply

    A lawsuit against negligent asbestos producers must be filed within a specific time frame, called the statute of limitations.

    As soon as a victim or a family member realizes they
    have an Asbestos case-related
    condition, the clock starts ticking.

  16. pro nerve 6
    | Reply

    We absolutely love your blog and find a lot of your post’s to be exactly
    what I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write content to suit your
    needs? I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on some of the subjects you write related to here.

    Again, awesome website!

    Here is my web page; pro nerve 6

  17. find this
    | Reply

    Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am a blogger,
    and I was wondering your situation; we have created some nice methods and we are looking to exchange solutions with others,
    please shoot me an e-mail if interested.

  20. Situs gacor
    | Reply

    Having read this I thought it was really informative. I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this information together.

    I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both
    reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

  23. Patrice
    | Reply

    I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter
    stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following.
    unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.

  30. klik disini
    | Reply

    Hi, i believe that i noticed you visited my blog thus i got here to ?return the choose?.I’m trying to in finding issues to improve my web site!I guess its adequate to use some of your ideas!!

  33. the growth matrix bigger dick
    | Reply

    I don’t know if it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing issues with your site.
    It appears like some of the written text on your content are running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and
    let me know if this is happening to them as well? This may be a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen before.
    Cheers

    Here is my web-site: the growth matrix bigger dick

  36. gluco freedom
    | Reply

    I feel that is one of the such a lot important info for me.
    And i’m happy studying your article. But wanna commentary on few
    normal issues, The site style is perfect, the articles is in point of
    fact excellent : D. Good activity, cheers

    Look at my web-site :: gluco freedom

  37. Bokep Indonesia
    | Reply

    constantly i used to read smaller articles which also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this paragraph which
    I am reading at this place.

  38. lung clear pro
    | Reply

    Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could
    locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

    Also visit my webpage :: lung clear pro

  40. raja slot 88
    | Reply

    I’m really loving the theme/design of your web
    site. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems?

    A handful of my blog readers have complained about my site not
    working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome.

    Do you have any solutions to help fix this problem?

  41. Bokep
    | Reply

    It’s amazing to pay a quick visit this web site and reading the views
    of all colleagues concerning this article, while I am also
    eager of getting experience.

  42. SEX
    | Reply

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

  43. kontol
    | Reply

    Hello There. I discovered your blog the use of msn. This is a very smartly written article.
    I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your helpful info.

    Thank you for the post. I’ll certainly return.

  45. raja slot
    | Reply

    I read this piece of writing fully about the comparison of
    newest and preceding technologies, it’s remarkable article.

  47. Bokep
    | Reply

    Having read this I thought it was really enlightening.
    I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this
    short article together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of
    time both reading and posting comments. But so what,
    it was still worth it!

  48. raja slot
    | Reply

    First off I would like to say terrific blog! I had a quick question in which I’d
    like to ask if you do not mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your head before writing.
    I’ve had difficulty clearing my mind in getting my ideas out there.
    I truly do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the
    first 10 to 15 minutes are generally lost simply just trying to figure out how to
    begin. Any suggestions or tips? Thanks!

  50. phising
    | Reply

    Link exchange is nothing else however it is simply placing the other person’s web site link on your
    page at suitable place and other person will also do similar in favor of you.

Leave a Reply

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