3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 78,096

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.

78096 Responses

  1. the genius wave reviews
    | Reply

    Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need some
    advice from an established blog. Is it hard to set up your own blog?
    I’m not very techincal but I can figure things
    out pretty quick. I’m thinking about making my own but
    I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any ideas or
    suggestions? Appreciate it

    Visit my web-site: the genius wave reviews

  2. planet88
    | Reply

    Hi i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i read this paragraph
    i thought i could also make comment due to this good paragraph.

  3. Money
    | Reply

    Decide funding for the upcoming motor vehicle or refinance with
    self esteem. Take a look at currently’s car financial loan costs.

    Time for you to first payment: After you offer a product,
    anticipate a wait duration of all-around 5 times to
    get money within your checking account on most platforms.

    There’s no justification for working away from money
    any more. Nicely, many of us mess up in some cases, but there’s
    no purpose you shouldn’t be able to conjure up a couple of
    hundred dollars away from slender air for those who’re prepared to get Inventive regarding how to make money.

    Not everyone seems to be courageous adequate to hire out
    their total residence to your stranger, but
    even leasing out the spare space can offer a large supply of excess money.
    You may perhaps meet some attention-grabbing individuals and
    find yourself enjoying it.

    In the same way, if you’ve attained past success on the planet of entrepreneurialism,
    your services could be of use to budding business
    people as well as established business people who want to consider their
    organization to the subsequent amount.

    Everybody knows that therapy is actually a hugely-expert and hard occupation, although not Lots of people realize
    it’s shifting online.

    A different crucial element of promoting and advertising is casino starting off
    a good email promoting system, which helps to keep customers and change prospects.

    You may also make money fast by completing surveys, microtasks, rewards plans,
    or any of the other simple tips on this checklist.
    The quantity you’ll get won’t be high, but
    It’ll be quick.

    In addition to supporting organizations to deal
    with their social accounts, you’ll be able to give them advice regarding how to sort a protracted-expression social websites strategy.

    Should you aren’t excited about working with a pc all day, Check out a lot of the finest
    methods to make money offline:

    Engaging in liable gambling with bonus resources and
    managing them as authentic money can cause greater determination-making along with
    a simpler reward system.

    Choose in for bonus resources. As many as 50x wagering, recreation contributions differ, max.
    stake applies, new customers will have to decide in and
    claim offer in just 24 hrs and use inside thirty days.
    Geographical Limits and T&Cs

    I’m not sure if it’s intentional or an editorial remark, though
    the pitch for blogging claims “Is there a topic or subject matter you’re really experienced about and luxuriate in adequate to have the ability to create on it each day For some time?

    That compensation impacts the location and buy by which the manufacturers are offered
    and is some scenarios may impression the rating that may be assigned to them.

    MONEY
    FREE CASH

    CASINO
    PORN

    SEX
    ONLY FANS

  6. diamond96
    | Reply

    Thanks for every other informative blog. The place else could I am getting that type
    of info written in such an ideal manner? I have a undertaking that I’m just now operating on, and I have been on the look out for
    such info.

  9. klik disini
    | Reply

    Quality articles or reviews is the crucial to interest the viewers to pay a quick visit the web site, that’s what this web page is providing.

  11. klik disini
    | Reply

    Thanks on your marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you are a great author. I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back someday. I want to encourage continue your great writing, have a nice day!

  18. this post
    | Reply

    Hey are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new
    to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own.
    Do you need any coding knowledge to make your own blog?

    Any help would be really appreciated!

  19. map805
    | Reply

    Superb post however I was wanting to know if you could
    write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if
    you could elaborate a little bit more. Kudos!

  21. LINK LGO4D
    | Reply

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

  25. Trisha
    | Reply

    I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website.
    It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more
    often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme?
    Superb work!

  28. gluco freedom
    | Reply

    What’s Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It positively useful and it has aided me
    out loads. I’m hoping to contribute & help different users like its aided me.

    Good job.

    Feel free to surf to my webpage – gluco freedom

  29. g2g22
    | Reply

    Thanks designed for sharing such a fastidious thought, post is good, thats why i have
    read it completely

  31. pop punk banners
    | Reply

    Gove said he would repay the claim for the cot mattress, but maintained that his other claims had been “below the acceptable threshold costs for furnishings”.
    It is usually alleged that Gove claimed for a cot mattress, despite children’s items being banned under the Commons rule.
    Cheryl Gillan (Shadow Welsh Secretary/Conservative,
    Chesham and Amersham) – claimed on bills for £4.Forty seven price of pet food.

  33. pg888th
    | Reply

    Hey, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog in Opera, 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, excellent blog!

  34. raja slot
    | Reply

    Piece of writing writing is also a fun, if you be acquainted with after that you can write or else it is difficult to write.

  35. earn money
    | Reply

    Hey there! I know this is kind of off-topic but I had to ask.
    Does running a well-established website such as yours require a massive amount work?
    I am completely new to running a blog but I do write in my diary every day.
    I’d like to start a blog so I can share my experience and thoughts online.

    Please let me know if you have any suggestions or tips
    for new aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!

  41. raja slot 88
    | Reply

    you are truly a just right webmaster. The site loading velocity
    is incredible. It kind of feels that you’re doing any unique trick.

    In addition, The contents are masterwork. you have performed a magnificent task on this matter!

  43. Alfred
    | Reply

    With havin so much content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright
    violation? My website has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but
    it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my agreement.
    Do you know any ways to help protect against content from being
    ripped off? I’d certainly appreciate it.

Leave a Reply

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