3 Jul 2017

Short term missions are not the race

by | posted in: Missions | 77,966

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.

77966 Responses

  4. provadent review reddit
    | Reply

    Hello there! This article could not be written much better!
    Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!
    He constantly kept preaching about this. I am going to forward this post to him.
    Pretty sure he’s going to have a great read. Thank you for sharing!

    Feel free to surf to my website: provadent review reddit

  8. lung clear pro
    | Reply

    Hi there I am so glad I found your web site, I really
    found you by mistake, while I was searching on Google for something else, Anyways I am here now and would
    just like to say cheers for a tremendous post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time
    to browse it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be
    back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the fantastic work.

    Here is my blog post … lung clear pro

  9. โดจิน
    | Reply

    Woᴡ that was odd. I јust wrote an reaⅼly long comment but after І
    clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over agaіn. Anyway, just wanted to say superb blog!

  10. California Fake drivers license
    | Reply

    Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like
    you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a
    few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that,
    this is magnificent blog. A great read. I
    will certainly be back.

  12. آهنگ پیمان کیوانی
    | Reply

    Hello there! This article couldn’t be written much better!

    Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!

    He constantly kept preaching about this. I am going to forward this
    information to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a good read.
    Thank you for sharing!

  13. tonic greens
    | Reply

    Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I seriously
    enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author.I will be sure
    to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back later in life.
    I want to encourage you continue your great job, have a nice weekend!

    Feel free to visit my blog post :: tonic greens

  14. klik disini
    | Reply

    Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always exciting to read content from other authors and practice a little something from their websites.

  18. Robby
    | Reply

    My developer 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 a number of websites for about a year and am
    concerned about switching to another platform. I have heard
    very good things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into it?

    Any kind of help would be greatly appreciated!

  19. tonic greens
    | Reply

    Hi! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog
    platform are you using for this site? I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress
    because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform.
    I would be fantastic if you could point me in the
    direction of a good platform.

    Also visit my blog post – tonic greens

  20. visit here
    | Reply

    Hi, i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i got here to ?go back the desire?.I am trying to find issues to enhance my website!I assume its ok to use a few of your concepts!!

  27. webpage
    | Reply

    Для заказа прогона Хрумером, вам необходимо обратиться к специализированным компаниям
    или Вы можете заказать у нас
    по наращиванию линк билдинг
    так же мы предоставляем услуги по сео продвижению с помощью гса прогонов через тир и поможем если будет нужно оптимизировать ваш проект
    для быстрой связи через телеграмм логин @pokras7777 либо добавится в нащу группу в телеграмм https://t.me/bazixrumer либо через скайп логин
    pokras7777
    мы будем рады вам помочь в любых
    вопросах по наращиваниютрафика на вашем проекте
    время работы 24/7 без выходных!

  28. asbestos lawyer
    | Reply

    Mesothelioma lawsuits typically result in compensation to cover medical expenses
    as well as lost wages, funeral costs and pain and suffering.
    However, these lawsuits can take quite a long time to settle.

    Feel free to visit my website … asbestos lawyer

  29. Leo
    | Reply

    What’s up everyone, it’s my first visit at this website, and
    post is truly fruitful designed for me, keep up posting these types of posts.

  30. Slot Dana
    | Reply

    Hello Dear, are you in fact visiting this
    website daily, if so then you will without doubt get fastidious experience.

  31. bokep jepang
    | Reply

    Good web site you’ve got here.. It’s difficult to find high quality
    writing like yours nowadays. I honestly appreciate people like
    you! Take care!!

  35. nazaking
    | Reply

    What’s up everyone, it’s my first pay a quick visit at this website, and article is actually fruitful designed for me,
    keep up posting such content.

  36. cheap cam girls
    | Reply

    Normally I do not learn article on blogs,
    however I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to check out and do it!
    Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, very nice post.

  37. AliceSwile
    | Reply

    Zondra Hellen from Manchester was trying to find aqa ict coursework 2012 gcse
    Rosanna Opitz located the reply to a search question aqa ict coursework 2012 gcse
    professional resume writing service san jose
    ocr history coursework mark scheme

    [url=https://essayservicehelp.com/]best paper writing services[/url]
    [url=https://englishessayhelp.com/]essays help[/url]
    [url=https://writeadissertation.com/]dissertation editing help[/url]
    [url=https://dissertationwritingtops.com/]custom dissertation[/url]

    [url=https://thecardboard.org/boardnew/showthread.php?tid=38607]thesis topics on intellectual property law[/url] 7be9c4a

  38. driver mad 2
    | Reply

    Greetings, I think your blog could be having web browser compatibility problems.
    When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine
    however when opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues.
    I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up!
    Other than that, great blog!

  39. video porno
    | Reply

    Hello! I realize this is kind of off-topic however I
    needed to ask. Does running a well-established
    website such as yours require a lot of work? I’m brand new to writing a blog but
    I do write in my diary on a daily basis. I’d like to start
    a blog so I can share my personal experience and feelings online.
    Please let me know if you have any ideas or tips for brand new
    aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!

  42. phising
    | Reply

    I absolutely love your blog and find almost all of your post’s to be what precisely I’m looking
    for. can you offer guest writers to write content for you?
    I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on most of the
    subjects you write in relation to here. Again, awesome website!

  48. Asbestos Compensation
    | Reply

    In a mesothelioma case lawyers will need to look over all of the
    victim’s medical records. These records will contain a victim’s results from tests and a diagnosis, which are
    often confirmed with lab tests, such as an X-ray CT scan or MRI.

    Here is my blog post … Asbestos Compensation

Leave a Reply

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